PARKERSBURG, W. Va. — Members of a church impacted by highway construction were told to take their concerns to state rather than local officials, according to The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.

Marrtown Church of the Nazarene member Steve Ruble told Wood County commissioners access to the church has been hampered and those who are able to get in are finding fewer places to park.

"The construction has cut off one entrance (and) people are having problems getting into the church. Our church is growing and we want it to continue to grow, and we're concerned with the access problems the church is going to stagnate," Ruble said.

"The road took 10 feet of the church parking lot. We don't really have any room for expansion and we were hoping you could give us some help or insight," he said.

Commission President Rick Modesitt referred Ruble to West Virginia Division of Highway officials and provided contact information for legislators, but said the commission could not help otherwise.

"The county commission has no authority or control over highway projects," Modesitt said.

The Rev. Robert Kniley told the newspaper after the meeting the church may be forced to relocate because of the heavy construction.

"We've never really been told exactly what they are doing. We're waiting. We were told possibly another ramp is being prepared to open," he said. "With all the explosions when they use dynamite for the construction, it has damaged the building. We really don't have much of a choice but to relocate."