MORGANTOWN – If you’re looking for proof that persistence does, on occasion, pay off, consider Alpine Street.
Located off Riddle Avenue between the top of the hill and West Run Road, Alpine Street is in the North Hills neighborhood, which falls within the county’s West Run Planning District.
The portion of Alpine Street that put it on the Monongalia County Commission’s radar is the lower section – from its split with Headlee Avenue to Bergamont Street.
It was a known issue in September 2021, when the commission created the Orphan Road Grant Program to help residents address roads that were either built by developers and forgotten, having never been recognized by the West Virginia Division of Highways, or so far down the DOH’s priority list that they’ve essentially been abandoned by the state.
While the extended section of Alpine Street met that definition, it presented a challenge to the commission in that it would cost so much to ultimately aid so few.
Previous projects funded through the program included $67,000 from the county to assist 49 households on Bridge Road. Those households brought $47,000 to the table.
The commission also put up $44,000 to address Pinecrest/Farmview Road, which provides access to hundreds of homes and apartments. Citizens in that area raised just over $43,000 as part of the funding package.
There are 10 households on the section of Alpine Street in question. It was estimated the needed repairs to underlying drainage issues and resurfacing work would require at least $82,000 from the county.
But Alpine Street resident Derek Jackson was undeterred.
During one of his appearances before the commission, Jackson told the the body in June 2023, “As it stands, certain vehicles can’t get through at any time of the year, but in the winter, it’s virtually impassable by any vehicle – four-wheel drive truck, car, it doesn’t matter.”
He explained that access for first responders, mail service and trash collection was being impacted by the road’s condition, noting it wasn’t uncommon in winter for residents to park their cars and walk to their homes.
In September 2024, the commission relented, agreeing to provide up to $82,400 in grant funding to be coupled with at least $9,500 from Alpine Street residents. Jackson had already paid for preliminary engineering services.
Earlier this week, the commission approved an $82,000 payout for the work, which, thus far, includes a new base layer of asphalt.
“I appreciate the persistence of the citizens to follow the process of the opportunities that are available to address these types of situations, specifically Derek Jackson. He was relentless,” Commissioner Sean Sikora said. “I appreciate his persistence, and the commission’s persistence in working with him to address that situation, because that’s why the funding exists.”
Sikora continued.
“And contrary to popular belief, when we put that program in place, it was thought that we were going to be overrun with requests. Really, this makes the third [project] over almost a four-year process. It’s helpful, and it’s a tool for our citizens, and it’s been successful,” he said.
Going forward, repairs and maintenance for that section of Alpine Street will fall under the North Hills Neighborhood Association.
