On Tuesday the Wetzel County Commission approved a right of way to the new 911 center at the site of the former Lewis Wetzel Personal Care Home. We mentioned that many people would like to see there be a street across that piece of property between Paducah and East Benjamin drives.

Formerly motorists could traverse the property on Wetzel County Hospital grounds, but that route has been limited to emergency vehicles only.

Commission President Don Mason said he would be open to that idea, but the city would need to request the easement and create and maintain the street.

While we don’t know if the city is in the financial situation to initiate a new street, we hope they will consider the issue as it would certainly be a matter of convenience for area residents, particularly when accessing the hospital from doctor’s offices on Paducah Drive. Also, it could reduce traffic issues for people turning left onto W.Va. 2 from Paducah and then perhaps creating more traffic in the school zone during active times.