The City of New Martinsville, West Virginia, sits along the Ohio River, and WV 2 is a major route through the City. In addition to the lack of pedestrian accommodations along the corridor, the posted speed limits are 45 mph in some locations, and there are a large number of trucks using the facility. To help understand the existing safety challenges and identify solutions, B&N was engaged to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP) consistent with the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The City received $250,000 in FY 2022 for completion of the CSAP.
New Martinsville focused on creating safer travel options for residents and visitors while positioning the community to compete for future transportation funding. B&N led the planning effort by working closely with City staff, stakeholders and community members to identify safety concerns, prioritize improvements and establish a roadmap for implementation.
To develop a CSAP, B&N provided crash data analysis, including a high-injury network of segments and intersections based on Equivalent Property Damage Only factors; systemic safety analysis to identify locations with the highest potential for crashes involving vulnerable road users; and public and stakeholder engagement.
Key Planning Focus Areas
The plan evaluated transportation safety needs across several critical areas:
- Intersection safety
- Pedestrian accommodations and accessibility
- Speed management
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
Through public engagement and stakeholder collaboration, B&N helped the City identify and prioritize practical strategies and projects that address local concerns while supporting long-term transportation safety goals.
Benefits to the Community
The CSAP provided the City with a data-informed framework for improving roadway safety and reducing transportation risks. The effort also positioned New Martinsville to pursue federal discretionary funding for future safety projects identified through the planning process. The City was awarded $12 million in an SS4A Implementation Grant (FY 2025) to construct sidewalk and safety improvements along WV 2. In addition, B&N's grant management support during the CSAP development ensured compliance with SS4A requirements and timely reimbursement of project expenses.