West Virginia

[seicer]

https://www.historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HME9P_bethany-turnpike-tunnels_Wellsburg-WV.html

The marker reads: "First highway tunnels constructed west of Alleghenies. They were built in 1831 by Richard Waugh at personal expense to ease transportation to his flour mills. The tunnels, a mile apart, were removed by the State in 1957."

General location between the two tunnels: http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=40.23578,-80.59683&z=15&t=U

[SP Cook]

Here is one I have never heard before. 

http://wvmetronews.com/2019/08/13/wheeling-suspension-bridge-back-open-as-long-term-solutions-being-discussed/

Background is the bridge is ancient and should only be used by cars, who should keep 50 feet distance.  Has been repeatedly damaged by tour buses going to the Wheeling Island Casino and using GPS, the main function of GPS being to get you lost.  Currently WV DOH has put up a hard physical barrier, which is to say, a piece of steel that will take the bus or truck's roof off.  Effective, but ugly for a historic landmark. 

Among the ideas floated is a nominal toll.  Not really for money, but to "keep the bridge off GPS".  I don't know how that works, but the idea is probably for hand collection with no electronic options, thus any oversized vehicle that pulls up can simply be denied entry and the 50 foot spacing maintained by the speed of the toll collector.  Tolling as "traffic caliming" ?

[Bitmapped]

Here is one I have never heard before. 

http://wvmetronews.com/2019/08/13/wheeling-suspension-bridge-back-open-as-long-term-solutions-being-discussed/

Background is the bridge is ancient and should only be used by cars, who should keep 50 feet distance.  Has been repeatedly damaged by tour buses going to the Wheeling Island Casino and using GPS, the main function of GPS being to get you lost.  Currently WV DOH has put up a hard physical barrier, which is to say, a piece of steel that will take the bus or truck's roof off.  Effective, but ugly for a historic landmark. 

Among the ideas floated is a nominal toll.  Not really for money, but to "keep the bridge off GPS".  I don't know how that works, but the idea is probably for hand collection with no electronic options, thus any oversized vehicle that pulls up can simply be denied entry and the 50 foot spacing maintained by the speed of the toll collector.  Tolling as "traffic caliming" ?

The bridge has a 2-ton weight limit, which even a lot of unloaded SUVs and loaded cars will be over. My understanding was that FHWA required a bridge to be closed when it could not support a 3-ton weight limit.

I'd look at adding in-pavement scales tied to traffic signals, but maybe it's time to close the bridge to cars and make it peds/bikes only.

[seicer]

In one of the Wheeling groups I follow on Facebook, a lot of people were in favor of an outright closure to vehicles because of the continual closure of the bridge for RVs, buses and overweight vehicles. The sidewalks are also very narrow and I don't think meet ADA accessibility standards.

[hbelkins]

Saw a WVDOT video on Facebook today about the upcoming widening of I-64 and new bridge over the Kanawha. Supposed to go to bid in October. That will be an expensive project. Wonder if they're doing it as a design-build, or if they have already acquired all the right of way they'll need?

Among the ideas floated is a nominal toll.  Not really for money, but to "keep the bridge off GPS".  I don't know how that works...

Some GPS units have an "Avoid Tolls" function, as do mapping apps for mobile devices. Somehow, my wife's GPS accidentally got switched to that mode on a trip several years ago. She was going to one of the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I had given her my E-ZPass and told her to use I-355, but her GPS was screaming at her not to use that route.

[SP Cook]

The last informational meeting for the needed 20 years ago Legg Bridge project claimed construction start in spring 2017.  Still no work done. 

The packet they gave out then, which is still on the DOT's website says they are using the "downstream alternative" meaning the new bridge will carry the westbound lanes and the existing bridge will be repurposed to eastbound only.  AFAIK the land on the St. Albans side is just hillside already owned by the state, although they will have to pass about a railroad, but the railroad has to cooperate in that.  On the Nitro side, the land involved in that would be the old Artel Chemical dumb, which is toxic, which is why nothing was ever built on it.  I would posit that it has a negative economic value. 

[Beltway]

Saw a WVDOT video on Facebook today about the upcoming widening of I-64 and new bridge over the Kanawha. Supposed to go to bid in October. That will be an expensive project. Wonder if they're doing it as a design-build, or if they have already acquired all the right of way they'll need?

Is that the one a few miles east of the US-35 interchange?

[SP Cook]

Yes. 

[seicer]

New bridge with unique design going up in Lincoln County WV

EAST LYNN, W.Va. - A new bridge under construction in West Virginia is unlike anything the state has seen before.

Greg Michaelson, an assistant professor of engineering at Marshall University, and Karl Barth, the Jack H. Samples Distinguished Professor of Structural Engineering at West Virginia University, have assisted the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance and the West Virginia Division of Highways in developing West Virginia's first press-brake-formed steel tub girder bridge.

The design of the structure is viewed as more economical than other short-bridge designs and takes less time to erect, according to proponents of the design.

[The Ghostbuster]

Any updates on when the missing link to completely four-lane US 35 might be constructed?

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Any updates on when the missing link to completely four-lane US 35 might be constructed?

Working on it as of July

[SP Cook]

Grading is almost done, bridges are built.  Paving is a separate contract.  Last I heard was they were shooting for opening just before the election, surprise surprise.  However, I heard they were a little behind.

If you are on the current 35, just take any side road that runs away from the river, and you will run into the construction within a mile or so. 

[seicer]

Of the following alternatives, Alternative 3 involves lowering US 119 and creating a tight diamond interchange at Lucado Road. All alternatives also involve adding a flyover ramp from I-64 to US 119 south over Cantley Drive. All of the alternatives eliminate two stoplights.

DOH shares plans to fix U.S. 119 traffic issues in Charleston with public

Plans to address traffic congestion and safety issues along U.S. 119/Appalachian Corridor G between MacCorkle Avenue and Emerald Road in Charleston were unveiled to the public on Thursday, during an informational workshop hosted by the state Division of Highways.

[...]

The proposed construction includes a new ramp over Cantley Drive to allow southbound traffic on U.S. 119 entering the highway from Interstate 64 to bypass the stoplight at the intersection of Cantley and U.S. 119.

The plan also calls for a right-turn lane to be added to Cantley Drive, and a new left-turn lane to be added to the I-64 connector ramp at its intersection with U.S. 119 to accommodate traffic turning left on U.S. 119's northbound lanes.

Additionally, the DOH is considering five construction alternatives to improve traffic flow at U.S. 119's intersections with Oakwood Road and Lucado Road.

Additional Information, Alternatives

--

Beaver to South Eisenhower Drive Project (Beckley Z-Way)

The FONSI has been added to this project that I was vaguely aware of. The alignment alternative report is located in Appendix B.

[kevinb1994]

Of the following alternatives, Alternative 3 involves lowering US 119 and creating a tight diamond interchange at Lucado Road. All alternatives also involve adding a flyover ramp from I-64 to US 119 south over Cantley Drive. All of the alternatives eliminate two stoplights.

DOH shares plans to fix U.S. 119 traffic issues in Charleston with public

Plans to address traffic congestion and safety issues along U.S. 119/Appalachian Corridor G between MacCorkle Avenue and Emerald Road in Charleston were unveiled to the public on Thursday, during an informational workshop hosted by the state Division of Highways.

[...]

The proposed construction includes a new ramp over Cantley Drive to allow southbound traffic on U.S. 119 entering the highway from Interstate 64 to bypass the stoplight at the intersection of Cantley and U.S. 119.

The plan also calls for a right-turn lane to be added to Cantley Drive, and a new left-turn lane to be added to the I-64 connector ramp at its intersection with U.S. 119 to accommodate traffic turning left on U.S. 119's northbound lanes.

Additionally, the DOH is considering five construction alternatives to improve traffic flow at U.S. 119's intersections with Oakwood Road and Lucado Road.

Additional Information, Alternatives

--

Beaver to South Eisenhower Drive Project (Beckley Z-Way)

The FONSI has been added to this project that I was vaguely aware of. The alignment alternative report is located in Appendix B.

Given that I was just there last month, I'd say this would be a much-needed improvement over the current configuration.

[SP Cook]

Interesting find:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uZfSQTY5gI&t=15s

[SP Cook]

http://wvmetronews.com/2019/11/05/doh-i-64-makeover-set-to-start/

Next phase of 6-lane upgrade to I-64, which will run from Exit 18 to Exit 20.  Oddly this will leave a 4-lane gap between Exits 15 and 18.  My impression is that they were going to work their way from west to east in order.  Eventual plan is a 6-lane from Exit 6 to Charleston. 

Also news of the long delayed Nitro-St. Albans bridge 6-lane upgrade, upon which yet another construction season has been lost.

[seicer]

Feedback sought on proposed Ohio River bridge near Merritts Creek

HUNTINGTON – Area residents are being asked for their opinions on the proposed construction of a bridge that, if completed, would cross the Ohio River northeast of Huntington.

The KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission will hold an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at its office in Huntington, located at 400 3rd Ave. Representatives will give a presentation at 6 p.m. to share the results of a feasibility study that evaluated the need for a new crossing connecting Ohio 7 and W.Va. 2.

Such a bridge would be the final step in completing the long-anticipated Tri-State Outer Belt linking Ohio, West Virginia and key segments of Interstate 64. Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Transportation recommended $5 million in funding for the second phase of that state's portion of the project, which would construct a 4 1/2-mile bypass connecting Chesapeake and Proctorville.

See the three alternatives at https://ohioriverbridgecrossing.com/

IMO, Alternative 1, lining up directly with WV 193 and OH 7, is my preference.

[SP Cook]

The important thing here is that Ohio has to complete OH 7 as a four lane to the proposed bridge or it really doesn't serve a purpose. 

[seicer]

It looks like money is being programmed for a year or two out for right-of-way purchases for the last part of the long-delayed bypass. But realistically, it won't be until 2030 or so (unless it is tolled) that this bridge will be built.

[hbelkins]

The important thing here is that Ohio has to complete OH 7 as a four lane to the proposed bridge or it really doesn't serve a purpose.

The end of the relocated OH 7 northeast of Proctorville is directly opposite the end of WV 193, so I've long-wondered if there wasn't a long-range plan to build a bridge.

But...

Feedback sought on proposed Ohio River bridge near Merritts Creek

Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Transportation recommended $5 million in funding for the second phase of that state's portion of the project, which would construct a 4 1/2-mile bypass connecting Chesapeake and Proctorville.

I didn't realize Ohio had finally started moving forward with that project.

[seicer]

Looking at Corridor 1 more closely, it looks like they are still planning for a four-lane widening of WV Route 2. I'm sure that's just a sketch of a road overlaid on the highway, but it could also be something more concrete. Would it really wipe out access to the houses north of WV Route 193? Or would it provide driveway access with turn-arounds provided at median breaks?

And OH Route 7 south and north of the planned bridge was designed for four-lanes, so the concept is more on point.



This assumes much of the same but provides no direct connection to WV Route 193.



I am assuming that traffic going north on OH 7 to the bridge would cross over the southbound lanes of OH Route 7 on a flyover? And that it would do the same for bridge traffic going north on OH Route 7?

[seicer]

The leading photo is a view of the Coalfields Highway at Slab Fork showing progress!

Second bond sale complete, will generate $700 million plus

West Virginia has sold $600 million in general obligation road bonds and generated more than $746.5 million in proceeds to be used for highway, bridge, and secondary road construction projects, Governor Jim Justice announced.

[TheOneKEA]

Where does WVDOT get their cinder supply for winter road treatment? I've observed a lot of cinder use in the Panhandle this winter.

[Bitmapped]

Where does WVDOT get their cinder supply for winter road treatment? I've observed a lot of cinder use in the Panhandle this winter.

I assume power plants.

[cpzilliacus]

Where does WVDOT get their cinder supply for winter road treatment? I've observed a lot of cinder use in the Panhandle this winter.

The Dominion Virginia Power generating station at Mount Storm (Bismarck) certainly generates a lot of ash

However, coal ash is generally considered pretty toxic, so I am not sure if it is legal or appropriate to apply that stuff to public roads.

Years ago, I know that the Pennsylvania Turnpike used to apply lots and lots of cinders or ash to the Turnpike, in addition to good old salt. 

Never been clear where the cinders used by PTC came from (perhaps that was by design?).