West Virginia

[seicer]

https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/WVDOH_accepts_bids_to_rebuild_portion_of_I_77.aspx]WVDOH accepts bids to rebuild portion of I-77

A project to rebuild Interstate 77 from the ground up between Tuppers Creek Road and the Jackson County line is among 24 construction projects included in a bid letting conducted by the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

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Nothing too notable about this other than WVDOH has become fairly aggressive in its pavement rebuilding program, which now includes significant portions of Interstate 64 in Cabell and Putnam counties, Interstate 79 in Braxton (?) county, and now Interstate 77 in arguably its worst segment.

Previously, when interstates were widened, they added the lanes into the median and did no other rehab work on the other lanes. But with the widening projects of Interstate 64 in Huntington-Barboursville and in Scary-Nitro, and Interstate 79 in Fairmont, they are rebuilding the original lanes which have essentially approached the end of their lifespan.

[roadman65]

Was noticing on Facebook a news vid on the former Silver Bridge that collapsed in 1967. Apparently there was  a stress crack that resulted in it's falling down and taking 46 people with it.

It was a bad calamity just as the recently collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge or 1980 Sunshine Skyway disaster.

Didn't know about it, but interesting to learn about it. Apparently the crack was in a hard to see place so it went undetected by inspection which kind of makes you wonder how this can't happen again.

Officials were so worried about it happening again they proactively tore down the US 50 ALT bridge over the Ohio River at St Mary's that had the exact same design as the Silver Bridge and was about the same age. They didn't even wait for a replacement bridge to be in place.

The (mostly) tongue in cheek Mothman museum in Point Pleasant has Silver Bridge exhibits.

IIRC, the museum at NIST has a piece of the bridge.

I didn't know about this disaster as I was two years old at the time. It's interesting to hear about sipuch such things even fifty-seven years later.

BTW what is a sipuch? Autocorrect generated that word just now.

[Rothman]

Was noticing on Facebook a news vid on the former Silver Bridge that collapsed in 1967. Apparently there was  a stress crack that resulted in it's falling down and taking 46 people with it.

It was a bad calamity just as the recently collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge or 1980 Sunshine Skyway disaster.

Didn't know about it, but interesting to learn about it. Apparently the crack was in a hard to see place so it went undetected by inspection which kind of makes you wonder how this can't happen again.

Officials were so worried about it happening again they proactively tore down the US 50 ALT bridge over the Ohio River at St Mary's that had the exact same design as the Silver Bridge and was about the same age. They didn't even wait for a replacement bridge to be in place.

The (mostly) tongue in cheek Mothman museum in Point Pleasant has Silver Bridge exhibits.

IIRC, the museum at NIST has a piece of the bridge.

I didn't know about this disaster as I was two years old at the time. It's interesting to hear about sipuch such things even fifty-seven years later.

BTW what is a sipuch? Autocorrect generated that word just now.

But, you were around in 2002:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mothman_Prophecies_(film)

[hbelkins]

Was noticing on Facebook a news vid on the former Silver Bridge that collapsed in 1967. Apparently there was  a stress crack that resulted in it's falling down and taking 46 people with it.

It was a bad calamity just as the recently collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge or 1980 Sunshine Skyway disaster.

Didn't know about it, but interesting to learn about it. Apparently the crack was in a hard to see place so it went undetected by inspection which kind of makes you wonder how this can't happen again.

Officials were so worried about it happening again they proactively tore down the US 50 ALT bridge over the Ohio River at St Mary's that had the exact same design as the Silver Bridge and was about the same age. They didn't even wait for a replacement bridge to be in place.

The (mostly) tongue in cheek Mothman museum in Point Pleasant has Silver Bridge exhibits.

IIRC, the museum at NIST has a piece of the bridge.

There's a rest area across the river on OH 7 in Gallipolis that has a display with an "eye bar" similar to that which failed on the US 35 bridge.

[SP Cook]

Nothing too notable about this other than WVDOH has become fairly aggressive in its pavement rebuilding program, which now includes significant portions of Interstate 64 in Cabell and Putnam counties, Interstate 79 in Braxton (?) county, and now Interstate 77 in arguably its worst segment.

I think they kinda have to.  64 west of Charleston and 77 north of Charleston are, leaving out the short panhandle interstates, getting really old.  Early to mid 60s, IIRC. 

[sprjus4]

Nothing too notable about this other than WVDOH has become fairly aggressive in its pavement rebuilding program, which now includes significant portions of Interstate 64 in Cabell and Putnam counties, Interstate 79 in Braxton (?) county, and now Interstate 77 in arguably its worst segment.

I think they kinda have to.  64 west of Charleston and 77 north of Charleston are, leaving out the short panhandle interstates, getting really old.  Early to mid 60s, IIRC. 

Oklahoma, Illinois, etc. enters the chat.

[seicer]

West Virginia had a very strong fiscal year and has prepared 345 General Fund Surplus Projects + 17 Federal Aid Contract Paving Projects that will be completed using surplus funds.

• Map

[Bitmapped]

West Virginia had a very strong fiscal year and has prepared 345 General Fund Surplus Projects + 17 Federal Aid Contract Paving Projects that will be completed using surplus funds.

• Map

That list isn't from this year. There are projects on there that were completed 2-3 years ago.

[seicer]

Ah - scratch that post then!

[Bitmapped]

West Virginia was just awarded $87 million to replace the Market Street Bridge crossing the Ohio River at Steubenville, OH. This 1905 WV-owned bridge closed last year after inspections turned up failures in its cables. https://wvmetronews.com/2024/07/12/funding-provided-for-market-bridge-replacement/

WVDOH rehabbed this bridge around 2010. The plan had been for it to be permanently closed after the Wellsburg Bridge was completed, which happened last year, but the locals have been unhappy about that. Personally, I don't see a need to rebuild this bridge with the US 22 crossing just north of here and the new Wellsburg crossing a couple miles south.

[Bitmapped]

The Scott Miller Hill realignment on US 33 west of Spencer opens later this week. This project features 4.3 miles of two-lane roadway, with climbing lanes, on a new alignment that bypasses sharp curves and steeper grades.

WVDOT has a press release and drone footage of the completed road at https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Scott_Miller_Hill_Bypass_to_open.aspx

[seicer]

Kanawha Boulevard is undergoing a major revision to become more pedestrian—and cyclist-friendly. The current four-lane configuration, which includes a median, is excessive since through traffic has shifted to the interstates and MacCorkle Avenue. Given the area's location and the high use of the existing narrow sidewalks and paths along the river, this project will significantly enhance recreational opportunities in a region with few such amenities.

Renderings and map

Charleston Capitol Connector: The City of Charleston, in partnership with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways (WVDOH) is seeking input on their project to enhance the Kanawha Boulevard. Walk and Bikeway (US) Route 60 (Kanawha Boulevard. and Greenbrier Street) Charleston.

Leaders announce $25 million in construction funding for Capital Connector Project: "The project calls for a "reimagining" of the Kanawha Boulevard corridor to make it more accessible for those in bicycles and on foot, as well as in vehicles, a news release said. About 3.5 miles of separated shared-use paths would be installed, as well as new crosswalks and improvements to 15 intersections. New bus stops, streetscaping, green infrastructure, enhanced stormwater management, new LED lighting for safety and sustainability and wayfinding signage are also part of the plan."

[SP Cook]

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/08/17/wriston-reflects-on-roads-to-prosperity/

[seicer]

The $13.3 million replacement of the Gimlet Hollow bridge just west of exit 6 on Interstate 64 is underway. The forms for the new piers are being laid below the existing bridge, and ground clearing has been performed. Crews have also extensively patched the 18-year-old concrete bridge deck overlay and asphalted the westbound lanes.

Plans: https://ui.bidx.com/WVDOT/lettings/SEP1223/proposals/2020000597

Google map Streetview: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XcQtK4Rhd7qNzbHK9

An interesting takeaway from looking at Exhibit 5 (original) and Exhibit 6 (extension) is that the bridge was shorter when originally proposed. As designed in 1963, the Gimlet Hollow bridge consisted of two 120' spans, two 150' spans, and a main 160' span for a total length of 700'. The extension from 1973 added three 65.6' spans to the west side.

Exhibit 10, the inspection report from 2022, indicates there is longitudinal cracking in a girder. Overall, the bridge is in poor condition.

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Unrelated, I noticed that WVDOT has been using AMS-STD 595 25177 (blue) as a bridge paint on a few very recent projects. It appears the Blue Sulphur Road overpass is also set to be repainted in this color - replacing whatever standard green shade they had before.

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Also unrelated, but I recently drove WV 7 through Morgantown and noticed extensive work being performed. It appears the roadway is being reconstructed. Will this include proper curbs and sidewalks? It was quite deteriorated before and too narrow - trucks were constantly running up on the curbs and sidewalks, effectively making them useless.

[Bitmapped]

Unrelated, I noticed that WVDOT has been using AMS-STD 595 25177 (blue) as a bridge paint on a few very recent projects. It appears the Blue Sulphur Road overpass is also set to be repainted in this color - replacing whatever standard green shade they had before.

The Maryland Line Road overpass on I-68 in Preston County was repainted in brown this summer. It matches a project that happened at the same time on the next overpass east, Blooming Rose Road in Garrett County MD, where the Corten was repainted with brown paint.

I've also seen some grey bridges recently (like Exit 7 overpass on I-68) and some that are a lighter shade of green than DOH traditionally used (Exit 29 overpass on I-68).

Also unrelated, but I recently drove WV 7 through Morgantown and noticed extensive work being performed. It appears the roadway is being reconstructed. Will this include proper curbs and sidewalks? It was quite deteriorated before and too narrow - trucks were constantly running up on the curbs and sidewalks, effectively making them useless.

It was just a years-overdue resurfacing with base repairs. They installed a couple catch basins on the Powell Avenue part that has a ditch, but not full curbs and storm sewers like should have been done. No widening, either.

[74/171FAN]

Credit to @jpi for finding what seems to be a new WV 243.

It is at least signed from I-81, and the GIS map I linked shows it going from CR 30 (south of WV 45) to US 11 (east of I-81 Exit 8).

A field check would be required to clarify if WV 243 is signed to WV 45.

[Dirt Roads]

Credit to @jpi for finding what seems to be a new WV 243.

It is at least signed from I-81, and the GIS map I linked shows it going from CR 30 (south of WV 45) to US 11 (east of I-81 Exit 8).

A field check would be required to clarify if WV 243 is signed to WV 45.

This is the exit for the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB), a reliever for Dulles, National and BWI (and the only reliever airport in the state).  Just a month ago, Marshall University announced that its Aviation degree program was expanding to MRB as a off-site campus.  There's only a few thingys that trigger WVDOH to upgrade a "county road" to a state route, and this is likely the case here. 

[hbelkins]

Credit to @jpi for finding what seems to be a new WV 243.

It is at least signed from I-81, and the GIS map I linked shows it going from CR 30 (south of WV 45) to US 11 (east of I-81 Exit 8).

A field check would be required to clarify if WV 243 is signed to WV 45.

There goes my clinch of the West Virginia state primary system. 

[74/171FAN]

I field checked WV 243 yesterday and right now it is only signed from I-81 and its offramps.

[Bitmapped]

I field checked WV 243 yesterday and right now it is only signed from I-81 and its offramps.

Interstates and Appalachian corridors have their own dedicated maintenance crews. They tend to be less busy than DOH county forces, so I'm not surprised that they got their signage installed first.

[74/171FAN]

I field checked WV 243 yesterday and right now it is only signed from I-81 and its offramps.

Pics are now posted. 

[hbelkins]

If one wished to purchase T-shirts with images of the New River Gorge Bridge, where should one look?

Back story: Eight years ago, I bought a couple of Bridge Walk shirts at the Bridge Walk gift shop while there for the AASHTO TransComm conference. I've lost enough weight to the point where those shirts hang off of me, and I'd like to find a shirt with the bridge emblazoned on it without paying Bridge Walk gift shop prices.

I'm likely going to be in that area in the next couple of weeks, so I'm looking for ideas.

I'd also like to get a few "personalized" shirts from Elkins. There's a grocery store on the west end of town where I've had luck in the past, but not the last time I was there (five or six years ago). I've struck out at Walmart in the past; ditto for the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad gift shop and the souvenir shop at the corner at the intersection of US 33/219/250 and WV 55/92.

[seicer]

Sadly, the state park gift shops don't use local vendors so you often have shirts that are generic with the state park name attached. I took a photo of a few at the Cass gift shop some years back that had "CASS STATE PARK" superimposed with not-West Virginia mountains or howling wolves.

Lost Appalachia is a local store in Fayetteville that makes its own designs and prints them locally: https://www.lostappalachia.com/collections/tees-2020. Specifically, https://www.lostappalachia.com/collections/tees-2020/products/new-river-gorge-tee, https://www.lostappalachia.com/collections/tees-2020/products/nrg-tee, https://www.lostappalachia.com/collections/tees-2020/products/long-sleeve-park-tee, and https://www.lostappalachia.com/collections/tees-2020/products/nrg-stamp-shirt contain the bridge. 

I was kind of hoping Kin Ship Goods of Charleston had some for this year's Bridge Day, but it doesn't seem like it's out yet.

Loving WV (https://lovingwv.com/collections/shirts) of Fairmount also has a decent collection, all designed and printed in the state. There are several I've spotted that have the bridge as a central focus, but none seem to be specific to Bridge Day.

The Tamarack also sells shirts from these vendors and others, too.

[hbelkins]

I got a Bridge Day sweatshirt the first time I was at that event (early 1990s) but I'm more interested in general bridge apparel, not specifically Bridge Day.

The shirts I got from the Bridge Walk store have facts about the bridge emblazoned on them, in addition to artwork.

I'm curious what might be available at the Summersville Walmart, and if I remember correctly, there's a Walmart near Oak Hill as well.

The national park visitor center at the north end of the bridge didn't have much bridge-related apparel the last time I was there.

As for Elkins apparel, the school nickname is Tigers and the colors are black and orange, much like the Cincinnati Bengals. I brought my wife an Elkins Tigers shirt home from a previous trip.

The Rite Aid where I bought a cap several years ago is closed, but there's a Walgreens at the north end of Railroad Street that might have a few items.

[Dirt Roads]

As for Elkins apparel, the school nickname is Tigers and the colors are black and orange, much like the Cincinnati Bengals. I brought my wife an Elkins Tigers shirt home from a previous trip.

The Rite Aid where I bought a cap several years ago is closed, but there's a Walgreens at the north end of Railroad Street that might have a few items.

Once upon a time, GoMart sold local shirts and ballcaps in many of their outlets.  The one in Teays Valley is a smaller version which doesn't carry such, and I haven't been in any others for a while.