Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – If it feels like every road in southern West Virginia is under construction right now, there’s a reason.
Summer’s clear skies, warm temperatures, and longer daylight hours create the perfect conditions for road work.
Asphalt and concrete require specific temperature ranges to set properly, which rules out a large portion of the calendar year here in the West Virginia mountains.
Winter is when many of the road problems are created. Not only is the weather too cold for road materials to cure, but the freezing and thawing cycles crack and expand the pavement, creating the potholes Southern West Virginia drivers are all too familiar with.
Summer is when crews finally get the window to fix them.
However, Summer is also when the traffic peaks. The New River Gorge and State Parks across the region bring in visitors from across the country, putting more out-of-state drivers on roads they aren’t familiar with, including through active work zones with odd traffic patterns.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show that July through September is already the peak season for traffic fatalities nationwide. Construction zones add to the risk, with narrowed lanes and sudden stops.
Officials want to remind drivers to slow down, stay off their phones, and follow posted signs through all work zones.
For road conditions, road work, and detour information, you can check Wv511.Org before you head out.
