PUTNAM COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – Drivers in Putnam County are making their voices heard to make one of their most dangerous intersections a safer place to drive.

More than 2,000 residents have signed a petition to build an overpass at the intersection of Route 35 and Hurricane Creek Road.

According to Putnam County 911, there have been around 34 crashes in that area since 2019, which includes about seven this year.

The petition was initially presented to the Putnam County Transportation Committee in July, but it has gained momentum with more than 300 additional signatures since.

Fraziers Bottom resident Rose Gatens drives along that intersection multiple times every day. She is urging the committee and the West Virginia Department of Highways to take action to prevent additional accidents from happening there.

Gatens said she will not stop collecting signatures or speaking out until something is done.

“Let’s not look at the money. Lives are more important than any of the money that’s out there. It’s going to affect generations to come. We’ve got kids starting to drive, generations of kids behind us. We’re trying to protect their lives as well,” Gatens said.

Sheriff Bobby Eggleton agrees that the intersection is one of Putnam County’s most accident-prone spots.

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“I think the bridge would be the only way to keep it from happening. To keep those kinds of accidents from happening,” Sheriff Eggleton said.

A spokesperson with the DOH told 13 News that the ongoing traffic study will consider options to make the intersection safer. It is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year.

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