WVDOH Replaces In-Line Grates

by Frank Gmeindl.

WVDOH has replaced two drainage grates on Beechurst Avenue with bicycle-friendly grates. The new grates allow bicycle wheels to roll over without falling through.

Numerous drainage grates in Morgantown roadways have slots that can catch a bicycle front wheel and cause a crash.


The Morgantown Bicycle Board has inventoried these grates and is working with the City and WVDOH to replace them. The Beechurst grates were first on the list because replacing them fit in the schedule for the Beechurst widening and reconfiguring project.

In-line grates on Mon Blvd. in front of the Coliseum will be replaced when WVDOH repaves the boulevard from the Star City bridge to Patteson Drive.


One worrisome grate is on the Westover Bridge heading from Morgantown to Westover. It is losing its cross braces and presents a severe crash hazard so watch out for it!


Most of us have learned to ride to the left of the in-line grates on the Walnut Street bridge.


Grates on bridges fall under a separate WVDOH department than the department that paves the roadways. They're working on a plan to correct the Westover and Walnut Street bridge grates. In the meantime, avoid crashing by riding a straight line left of the grates.