The Pilot Travel Center located in Nitro attracts many truckers and travelers, causing congestion at the small parking area which leaves drivers struggling to find an effortless method to turn around and reconnect with the interstate.
“They have become a nuisance. It’s a safety hazard for us. The tractor trailers will back up clear on the interstate. That creates a traffic issue, a safety issue,” Putnam County Sheriff Bobby Eggleton said.
Sheriff Eggleton has been instrumental in enhancing traffic flow around the event. He proposed relocating to a more spacious site capable of handling greater numbers of visitors effectively.
They reached out to me from a company located near the pilot station because they have been experiencing some problems. These issues mainly revolve around the traffic situation there, which prompted them to contact me for assistance. Frustrated with the ongoing troubles, they also decided to file a lawsuit against the Pilot Corporation,” he explained.
He mentioned that they attempted to communicate with Pilot, but all their efforts led to nothing. He also stated that this was not a step they wanted to be forced into taking.
“I talked to commissioner Skidmore. I told him I thought we had issues. We ran the numbers of calls that we have run up there in the last four years. It’s in the hundreds. So we were like, okay, it’s time to do something. If we can’t get them to be a friendly neighbor, then we’ll do it through the court system,” he said.
Residents in the area mentioned that they have spent up to an hour sitting in completely still traffic just to leave via the exit.
“There isn’t currently an effortless solution, but someone definitely needs to tackle this issue somehow. Personally, I often prefer using the Cross Lanes exit over the Nitro exit. Even though the Cross Lanes exit has numerous issues including ongoing construction, I still find it more manageable,” stated John Davis, a local resident.
He mentioned that there isn’t a suitable method to navigate the region when the traffic is congested.
“When you approach the bend leading to Nitro, you’ll find the curve obstructed. Often, you won’t realize this until you’re almost upon it. At times, you must make an abrupt halt merely to continue down the road,” he explained.
In January, Pilot released a statement to Eyewitness News after reports focused on an interstate sign designed to inform travelers when the parking lot had reached capacity. The firm mentioned they were taking steps to tackle issues related to traffic jams close to the Pilot location in Nitro. Authorities along with their staff plan to introduce further strategies aimed at enhancing traffic movement and boosting overall safety in the vicinity.
Davis expressed hope that alterations would be implemented to ensure public safety.
“Me and my wife were talking about ambulances and getting stuck on and off the exit ramp. Things like that, there’s just literally no way to get through the area.”
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