Parent urges state action after accidents near Ridgedale Elementary; county says road is state-controlled

At the May 6 Monongalia County Commission meeting, resident Taryn Moser urged the county to pursue safety improvements at the Goshen Road and U.S. 119 intersection near Ridgedale Elementary, citing repeated accidents, speeding and new nearby commercial development that she said strains infrastructure and school traffic flow. “I would like to see some safety measures taken at this intersection,” Moser said, noting school buses and teachers need safer ingress and egress.

Moser identified herself and her address (193 Paradise Circle) and noted she serves as West Virginia State GIS coordinator; she invited commissioners to a GIS conference June 1–3. Commissioners responded that the intersection is on a state road and therefore under the state Department of Highways’ (DOH) authority; previous requests for lights or blinking signals at the school intersection, they said, were vetoed by the DOH. Commissioner Jeff said deputies have increased patrols at the location in the past and that the commission can re-energize those efforts.

The commission did not take formal action at the meeting but directed staff to re-open requests to state authorities and to coordinate local law-enforcement patrols while seeking state assistance.