Motorists are often trapped for minutes at a time between lanes of speeding 18-wheelers at the U.S. 35-Hurricane Creek crossover.
On July 20th, the Facebook group Route 35-Hurricane Creek Overpass Petition came into existence (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213979806706485). Group founder, Rose Gatens will present Putnam County and WVDOH officials with a petition urging the construction of an overpass at the junction of 35 and Hurricane Creek Road at the meeting of the Putnam County Transportation Committee at the courthouse in Winfield on Monday, July 29, at 9:30 a.m. Gatens is hopeful that members of the community will turnout in support at the meeting.
In addition to the petition, Gatens will provide officials with a listing of fatalities and accidents at the intersection. “It has been difficult to come up with the number of deaths because Putnam County 911 records only individuals who are pronounced dead at the scene,” Gatens said. As of Tuesday, July 23, Gatens has identified close to ten individuals who died following auto accidents at the intersection.
The first fatality at crossover occurred within days of the opening of new U.S. 35 in July of 2009 when Wilma Hodges Leslie perished.
Gatens stated that she was prompted to initiate the petition by a very serious, but non-fatal, accident involving a friend on July 9, 2024. Copies of the petition may be signed at the Fraziers Bottom Post Office, Marathon Gas Station in Fraziers Bottom, Tammy’s Country Kitchen, and Precious Pets Salon on Hurricane Creek Road.
The petition reads: Route 35- Hurricane Creek Overpass Petition, We the people of Fraziers Bottom/Hurricane Creek, WV are starting a Petition to get an OVERPASS BUILT on Hurricane Creek Road. Too many people have lost their lives or been affected in this area. In honor of those people, PLEASE sign this petition to get something done. We will start at the Governors office and work our way down to everyone involved to make this happen. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. It is greatly appreciated.
Gatens said that she will continue to push for an overpass until something is resolved.
