Part of the plan called for a straightening of the road to improve drainage and to eliminate a curve that has been the site of several deadly car crashes.

However, Bowman was not aware that the West Virginia Division of Highways had already notified residents living in the path of the proposed road that they had just 90 days to sell their homes.

Those notices went out on Monday.

On Wednesday, Bowman met with state highway commissioners and asked them to either revise or eliminate that part of the plan so that those residents would not be forced to move against their will.

"If we have to scrap that, I accept responsibility." said Bowman. "If I misled the DOH, I apologize. But I feel very strongly that I do not want to see anybody displaced from their homes if they do not want to go."

Robert Pendergrass has lived along that side of Pennsylvania Avenue for most of his life.

While he supports the idea of making Pennsylvania Avenue safer, he is worried about his elderly neighbors.

"These older people can't take $30,000 or $40,000 and just go to another house," said Pendergrass. "I'm younger. I can do something else. But let's take care of the older people."

Bowman serves on the senate committee that oversees funding for highways and thinks his request to protect those homes carries some weight.

"I think it goes beyond that," said Bowman. "I think the commissioner understands me. We took a ride past those homes."

While state highway officials could stick with the original plan, Bowman does not think they will.

Bowman expects a decision from the WVDOH soon.

Eric Minor, NEWS9