The State admits this connector will not solve the traffic problem in town. They also admit they have no idea what impact the connector will have on the communities at each end. One of the major components of the traffic problem seems to be the Shepherd commuters. Why not build a commuter parking lot on the northwest side of Rt480 with access from Rt45, don t allow any parking for commuters on the main campus and start a shuttle bus service for students. I read an article by our local Representative suggesting Shepherd build a campus in Martinsburg.
Lets talk about truck traffic.
One idea I have seen in several small towns with similar intersections is to give each direction of traffic their own signal. Move the stop line back in each lane to accommodate large vehicles needing to turn. Do not allow trucks to turn during high traffic volume times of the day. The signals can be timed during high volume periods and placed on trip sensors all other times to help with traffic flow. Professional truck drivers will simply change their routes to accommodate the restrictions, and individual cars will not see a significant change in the time it takes to get through the intersection, if a campus commuter lot is built your time at the stop will be much shorter.