Issues with errant tractor-trailer trucks - from wrecks that backed up Fourth of July holiday traffic to replacement of a tollbooth demolished in June - were a focal point of Thursday's Parkways Authority meeting.
Parkways General Manager Greg Barr said there has been an upturn in tractor-trailer wrecks on the West Virginia Turnpike, particularly on the curvy north end of the 88-mile highway.
State Police are increasing patrols on that section of the Turnpike to crack down on speeding truckers, Capt. Michael Crowder told the authority.
He said patrols are necessary because truckers are familiar with locations where State Police set up to catch speeders.
Meanwhile, the authority awarded a $35,595 contract to Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal to replace a tollbooth destroyed when it was struck by a tractor-trailer on June 14.
"We had an out-of-control tractor-trailer try to change lanes at the last second," Barr said of the incident.
"The toll collector in the booth heard the noise, and exited the booth right as the truck hit, and ripped the whole side off the booth," he said.
The Turnpike employee was shaken up, but was not injured, Barr said.
He said the cost of replacing the tollbooth will be recovered in the Authority's insurance claim against the trucking company.
Also Thursday, Parkways Authority members:
| Approved a design for a new building for the milepost 69 rest area, replacing separate restroom and snack bar/vending buildings on site. Estimated cost of the project is $2 million.
The new facility will include a video screen promoting Tamarack, the state arts and crafts showcase, located 24 miles from the rest area.
Authority member Vic Grigoraci endorsed the plan, noting, "We need to promote Tamarack as much as possible from this location."
| Approved a $341,000 contract with the West Virginia Association of Rehabilitation facilities for custodial services at the Parkways main headquarters, the Princeton Welcome Center, and the milepost 69 rest area for one year.
That is a $34,000 increase over the current contract, Barr said, to account for an increase in the state minimum wage from $8 to $8.75 an hour that will go into effect January 1.
Reach Phil Kabler at philk@wvgazette.com, 304-348-1220, or follow @PhilKabler on Twitter.