Follansbee community raises safety concerns after removal of key traffic lights

FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. — Many businesses and residents in the city of Follansbee are expressing their concerns after the West Virginia DOH removed three key traffic lights and is set to remove another.

The lights that have been removed are at the intersections of Main and Ohio, Main and State, and at the entrance to the former coke plant. Next, will be the lights at the intersection of Main and Raymond, which are currently blinking.

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Hood’s Pharmacy is at that intersection. Owner and pharmacist Melissa Benges is concerned as she said many of her customers are older people who don’t have cars who rely on in town businesses for their needs. She believes not having that light is dangerous.

“Elderly that have mobilized scooters, walkers that need assistance getting across the street that are not going to be physically able to get across without that light,” Benges said.

Another business just across the street from Hood’s Pharmacy is Deluxe Gentleman’s Barbershop, and folks there echo similar concerns.

“You have people trying to cross the street from each side,” Aaron Quattrocchi said. “You have one, two, three, four, five intersections right there with the businesses and drive-thrus with people pulling out. So, ya, I would say it adds a little bit of a hazard.”

Follansbee resident Louie Headman said he has a difficult time crossing the street because traffic is just moving too fast without the lights.

“When I came across over here just now, I had to run across it because that car was way up there by the funeral home and he’s flying,” Headman said. “That is the problem.”

Headman added there have been several stop signs installed where the lights have been removed, but the one on State Street is not even visible to drivers.

“They put the stop sign behind the tree,” Headman said. “Now, how is anyone going to see that?”