Gameday traffic no worse than usual in Morgantown

MORGANTOWN - Reports of traffic backups on Interstate 79 between Star City and Mount Morris, Pa., appear to stem more from construction on an overpass rather than West Virginia University gameday travelers or the new traffic lights at Exit 155 at Chaplin Road.

Greene County (Pennsylvania) Emergency Management Director Richard Policz said he learned of a traffic back up on I-79 about 10 a.m. Saturday, but he knows it is no fault of any agency in West Virginia, including WVU. He said his counterpart with Monongalia County Emergency Management, Jimmy Smith, alerted him to the backup from the construction site about a mile south of Mount Morris and into Pennsylvania.

Smith did not respond to two voicemails seeking comment.

Rusty Marks, with West Virginia Department of Transportation Communications, said it was his understanding that traffic was pretty smooth through there over the weekend, but referred questions to William Gaskins, Transportation District 4 manager.

Gaskins also said he was not aware of any incidents Saturday, writing in an email:

"The request for information regards the Wades Run bridge located at MM 160 between Mt. Morris and Morgantown. Triton Construction is the prime contractor for this project. Work on this project began in early 2024. According to the schedule, we expect to open two lanes in each direction by the end of this year. However, the contractor has some difficulties completing the project on time. That would push the completion date to early 2027. Since project staff is not on-site on weekends, we are unaware of any incidents occurring on Saturday, 9/5/2026. All traffic control on this project site is set up according to the approved plans."

Policz said WVU gameday fans may contribute to the traffic, but the construction site - which has one lane closed in each direction — has caused issues before. He said since Jan. 1 until Saturday, his agency has fielded 140 calls for traffic in that area. Those have been calls for accidents and people having emergencies while stuck in traffic. At least one accident resulted in a fatality, Policz said.

West Virginia State Police handles traffic duties at intersections around the county, including the Chaplin Road and U.S. 19 intersection.

West Virginia State Police Sgt. M. Bailey said traffic in that area was no worse Saturday than it is for other WVU football games.

"Then again, that traffic is always terrible," he said.

Bailey said he checked with the troopers who managed traffic around Chaplin Road and the U.S. 19 and was told there was no out-of-the-ordinary traffic issues.

The sergeant said the problem stems from the location of Milan Puskar Stadium.

"It's in the middle of town and all these people are trying to get there at one time," Bailey said. "It's a nightmare."

Granville Police Chief Brian Hill said his department did not receive reports of unusual traffic in that area. Nor did his officers report any problems from the gameday traffic.

Policz said he and many of his colleagues are WVU fans and they know there will be more traffic as WVU gets into Big 12 play. He had advice for motorists traveling through that construction area.

"Pay attention. Travel the speed limit, especially in that area," he said. "Backing up happens instantaneously and that's when you have rear-ended accidents."

WVU plays again at home Saturday. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. with UT Martin. The first Big 12 opponent traveling to Morgantown will be Oklahoma State on Sept. 26. Kickoff time has not been announced.