Welch Underpass: What’s the plan moving forward?

WELCH, WV (WVNS) – The Welch Underpass has become a viral social media sensation in southern West Virginia. Recently, multiple vehicles have hit the underpass, and many people continue to wonder why this keeps happening.

So far in 2024, five vehicles have already crashed into the Welch Underpass.

With people passing through Welch daily, concerns have been raised about the quality and safety of the underpass.

Welch’s Mayor, Harold McBride, is determined to fix this issue.

“We’re not gonna give up no matter. As long as I’m here, they’re gonna hear from me screaming about a bridge,” said McBride.

The City of Welch is in the process of campaigning for a new bridge.

This campaign is titled, “Build the bridge on McDowell Street.”

Mayor McBride said he believes the citizens of Welch deserve a new bridge that is not such a dangerous hazard.

“It’s a way of life, a quality of life that just has to be done. It’s time. It should have been done a long time ago, but I don’t want somebody twenty years from now saying it should’ve been done. We campaign hard for it. The governor has been very accessible to it,” said McBride to 59News.

In February of 2024, an anonymous Facebook user created a page titled, “Welch Underpass.”

Since its creation, over 10,000 people have started following the page to see the comedic posts by the creator.

Mayor McBride said there is room for humor, but the situation is still serious.

“Some of the things people say, it is funny. You have to take it at heart. But I don’t want people not to realize how serious it is. We’re very fortunate that someone hasn’t lost their life there,” said McBride.

Mayor McBride told 59News according to the state, the new bridge is in the engineering phase.

The hope of a new bridge may turn into a reality, but for now, drivers need to proceed with caution when traveling below the Welch Underpass.

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