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BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) - U.S. Route 60 in Barboursville is an area prone to backups and delays.

Mattie Chapman drives the road nearly every day to get to work at Floyd’s Nursery.

“It’s hectic,” Chapman said. “Summertime, you know kids are out of school, it’s just insane. The traffic is unreal. Around COVID is when it started, and I noticed traffic pick up a lot, and it’s kind of been the same since.”

Chapman said she reported several wrecks to the police.

“We listen for tire screeches and noise. We’re just very aware and alert,” Chapman said.

Cabell County 911 estimated since Jan. 1, a total of six crashes were reported at the intersection.

Three of those crashes, according to Cabell County 911, had reported injuries.

In 2023, Cabell County 911 said 27 crashes were reported at that intersection. Thirteen among those were reported with injuries.

WSAZ reached out to the WVDOH to find out if a traffic study would be completed in the area following a deadly crash that happened Thursday night on Independence Day.

Arrest warrants issued following fatal Route 60 crash

Rob Pennington, P.E., District 2 Engineer, said a crew reviewed the area on the night of the deadly crash and Monday morning. No repairs to the roadway are needed.

As for what’s next, Pennington said, the design of a paving project for U.S. 60 that begins at 29th Street and ends at Peyton Street is underway. That project will include improvements to the intersection where that crash happened.

Plans to improve the area were already underway before the crash and are nearing completion, according to Pennington.

“As of May 30, 2024, the WVDOH has implemented a Safety Assessment for Every Roadway (SAFER) review with the goal of proactively lowering the risk of serious injuries and fatalities from traffic crashes on our highways. The planned project will utilize the SAFER review as well before the project’s final design is completed, and annual crash data will be evaluated.”

It’s not clear when the final design will be completed.