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Residents Concerned Expansion Of U.S. 340 Could Affect Homes

By: Patricia Martellotti

Updated: January 23, 2013

CHARLES TOWN, WV - It's a neighborhood of beautiful houses, landscapes and a community who enjoys the peace and quiet of their lives.

Now residents of Rippon in Jefferson County are faced with the possibility of losing all that peace and quiet plus more.

"We're going to be adding noise and I think it's just going to be a burden on everybody's quality of life in Rippon," says resident Arnold Elliott.

While those living at Ryan's Glen subdivision are concerned about the expansion of U.S. 340, others say it could save lives. They say the area is only two lanes wide, making it hard to avoid other oncoming cars. Some say speeding in the area plays a factor and the highway often gets "bottle-necked".

Police say even when school buses stop to drop off students, vehicles do not always stop at the stop-sign.

"I know some homes are at risk, but what's the cost of a home compared to a life?" says Stephen Shillingburg, a resident.

A few miles down the road from Ryan's Glen, other residents who have been living next to U.S. 340 say the idea of expanding the highway is welcome due to the constant unsafe dangers they've experienced for years.

"There's been a lot of people injured and killed on this highway over the last 25 years because it's a hazard. Everybody tries to speed through here. I lost my wife a year and a half ago because of this road," says Shillingburg.

Officials say plans for expanding U.S. 340 have not been confirmed, but they're considering other ideas where the homes wouldn't be destroyed.