HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) conducted these studies and prepared this report with the primary objective of determining the relative cost of various deck width options for the Proposed Ohio River Bridge, generally referred to as the Wellsburg Bridge. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. Currently, there is no shared-use route for cyclists to cross the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, a distance of 322 miles. Due to weight limits on the Market Street Bridge, the closing of the Fort Steuben Bridge would leave the region with only one crossing capable of carrying commercial truck traffic. Crews are expected to begin the slow lifting process beginning at 3:30 a.m, Thursday and continue the process through the afternoon hours before the structure is moved and lowered into place on top of the bridge piers. October 2022 Completion Date Building Wellsburg Bridge Wellsburg Bridge is a significant project for Flatiron and the state of West Virginia. The tied arch span is estimated to weigh 9 million pounds, or 4,100 tons. "They'll be getting that concrete poured for these approach spans on the Ohio side. On Tuesday (July 19), the Pittsburgh City Council unanimously approved a $1.5 million, two-year contract to inspect and evaluate all 150 city-owned bridges. Constructed entirely offsite, the tied-arch span section of the Wellsburg bridge will be transported by barge approximately one mile down the Ohio River from its current location along the shoreline at the south end of Wellsburg, then lifted into place onto the existing piers. Currently, the completion date for the structure is set for late 2021. With an estimated weight of 4,000 tons, the tied-arch span is believed to be the heaviest structure to be lifted in such a way in the United States. As the result of the third delivery delay in two months, the Department of Public Works decided to postpone the reopening of the bridge until late spring 2022. Stay with 7NEWS for updates . Livestream coverage of the Wellsburg Bridge lift can be found starting Wednesday by clicking here. The Senate bill shrinks the copay cap from $100 to $35. He said crews will fill material on the Ohio side for the bridge going over Ohio State Route 7. The new bridge was originally scheduled to open around Thanksgiving, but delays in delivery of steel girders already pushed the expected completion date to late December. When completed, the Wellsburg Bridge will connect Route 2 in Wellsburg with Ohio 7 in Brilliant, providing an important artery for communities in northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio. 3 On April 26, 2021, the main span was lifted onto two pairs of barges and moved into position in a single 13-hour operation. Northwest Division, Division: New Bridge over Ohio River at Wellsburg, WV, Bridge. Manchin visits Milton, discusses new federal funding for floodwall project. Learn more about opportunities with Flatiron. W.Va. (WTRF) - The Wellsburg Bridge project is inching ever closer to completion. A change in wind predictions for Tuesday has prompted officials to turn a two-day project into one. The bridge, which. West Virginia Division of Highways image. It was built on the shoreline of the West Virginia side of the river in 2019 by Flatiron Construction. Currently, motorists in a passenger vehicle traveling along WV Route 2 or OH Route 7 are able to cross the Ohio River between Ohio and West Virginia on the Fort Henry Bridge in Wheeling or the Market Street Bridge, north of Follansbee and into Steubenville, Ohio. The connection to the bridge is important for the Brooke Pioneer Trail, as it will provide an opportunity for connection to trails and bikeways on the Ohio side of the river. It concludes Thursday with the actual lifting and positioning of the span onto the piers, according to Flatiron and DOH officials. The Wellsburg Bridge, which will cross the Ohio River, was floated downstream to its new home on the morning of April 26 ahead of its opening in 2022. DOH officials said construction crews must still complete a retaining wall and backfill on the West Virginia side of the bridge, finish pier work on the West Virginia side, complete the approach span on the Ohio side of the bridge, and tie both ends of the span into existing roadways. It will connect WV Route 2 in Wellsburg with Ohio. Constructing it on the shore has many benefits in being able to access the structure, crew safety, they dont have to worry about being over the river and someone or something falls in the water, Clark said. Project financing was made possible through a public-private partnership (PPP), involving Flatiron, WVDOT, the Ohio Department of Transportation, as well as federal highway funds. Construction of the $131m design-and-build contract started April, 2018. To complete this Phase II study, various alternatives for bridge crossings were developed based on preliminary engineering analysis. Awarded in 2016, the $131 million project is Flatiron Corporations first project in the state and West Virginias first alternative delivery project. Thousands without power in West Virginia after strong winds move across the state. Four additional scenarios were developed using a combination of bridge locations with northern and southern alternatives. Appalachian Power and Mon Power report approximately 60,000 customers without service Saturday morning. When the winter weather breaks, Clark expects crews to finish concrete on top of the bridges and the road work tying into either end on both states. Manchin visits Milton, discusses new federal funding for floodwall project. Wellsburg Bridge Update 12/10 - Project Webcams Are Now Available Below Ohio Side Camera West Virginia Side Camera UPDATE 11/20/2013 Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) available for download [19 MB PDF] STATE PROJECT S205-2/23-0.00 FEDERAL PROJECT HPP-0223 (003) THE PROPOSED OHIO RIVER CROSSING BRIDGE (WELLSBURG) BROOKE COUNTY, WV The highway has been reduced to one lane and temporary traffic signals installed to maintain two-way traffic. The Wellsburg Bridge idea was pushed for years, according to Clark, and was a dream of former Wellsburg Mayor Sue Simonetti who passed away on March 31. The span, which will eventually extend 1,600 feet across the Ohio River, will include an 830-foot tied-arch span, which is being constructed along the shore a short distance upriver from the piers near Wellsburg. History was made on the Ohio River during the Wellsburg Bridge project as floating a bridge had never been done before in West Virginia. That data made clear the need for a new bridge, which will encourage regional economic growth and allow the region to better retain existing business. Traffic is expected to open on the bridge by October 2022. Founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 1947, Flatiron now operates across the U.S. and Canada, specializing in projects from common to complex. 975 were here. Jim Justice was on hand with Brooke County officials when ground was broken for the span in July 2018. BHJ-MPC spearheads planning activities and sets transportation priorities in Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia and Jefferson County, Ohio. As part of the alternative delivery method, Flatiron proposed building a tied-arch bridge main span that would be constructed offsite, upriver and delivered by barge to the project site for installation. The speed limit has been lowered to 40 mph in the construction zone between Wellsburg and Beech Bottom where steel piling is being set in place below the roadway. They are my best understanding, but that does not mean they are a correct understanding. A native of Beech Bottom, Simonetti, a graduate of Wellsburg High School, announced her decision to step down as mayor during the Nov. 10 City Council meeting. WELLSBURG Construction of a bridge linking the southern ends of Brooke and Jefferson counties is progressing, with extensive work occurring on both sides of the Ohio River. 2023 www.stargazette.com. 6". Due to inherent design characteristics, neither the Fort Steuben Bridge nor the Market Street Bridge can be updated to modern standards. Wellsburg Bridge is taking shape! Flatiron submitted qualifications in March 2016 and WVDOT awarded Flatiron the contract later that year. As part of the project, Clark anticipates West Virginia Route 2 to become three lanes for a stretch around the bridge. Originally scheduled to open in 2022, 4 the new Wellsburg Bridge is estimated open to traffic in spring 2023. Installing the bridge deck over the winter months would also cost an extra $941,000 for construction and inspection, with the county bearing $591,000 of that expense, according to the Department of Public Works. Construction is never as productive in the winter as it is in the spring, summer and fall, Clark said. They cited a need to provide another transportation artery when rock slides impact traffic on W.Va. 2 or Ohio 7 in that area and a potential boost to economic development there. Even with a winter installation, the bridge wouldn't reopen until mid to late January, and additional work would still have to be done in the spring, county officials said. The completion of the Wellsburg Bridge project has been delayed until next week. Construction for the $131 million Wellsburg Bridge project is planned to pierce the waters of the Ohio River for the first time this June. As part of the construction, the bridge will have a shared-use path (for bicycles and pedestrians) and the scope of project requires a connection between the trail and the bridge. At the end of the day, it is a very large lift.. The wall is comprised of long steel beams, called pilings, drilled into the hillside below and wide steel panels, known as lagging, inserted between them. Do Not Sell My Personal Information Looking for challenging projects, innovative teams and a place to advance your career? Closure Notice: As of March 2021, portions of the northern end of the trail south of Wellsburg are closed due to the construction of a new bridge across the Ohio River that will include a shared-use path for walkers and bicyclists.The trail will be subject to continuous closures during the project, which is slated for completion in late 2022; check with the trail manager for up-to-date . A project to replace a bridge that carries county Route 8 over the Chemung River just north of Wellsburg will not be finished by late November as originally planned, according to the Chemung. Clark said for the past six months, crews have finished rebar and formwork for the approach decks to the bridge, leading up to the arch on the Ohio side. Concrete is about to be poured on the Wellsburg bridge. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 12:06 PM EST BROOKE COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) - The Wellsburg Bridge project is inching ever closer to completion. WTRF Daily News . According to former West Virginia DOH District Construction Engineer Joe Juszczak, Flatiron plans to eventually transport the enormous tied-arched span down river and lower it onto the piers from 80 feet in the air using jacks positioned on barges. The concentration of all river crossing capacity within a small geographic area constrains the overall flexibility of the regional transportation system. The states have signed an agreement in which West Virginia, which owns the river, will pay 65 percent of the spans cost. Overview Map Rankings Reviews Students COVID-19 Student Body Compare Details There will still be ongoing work but it wont be as productive. Once completed, the bridge will extend 1,800 feet and include one lane each for west- and eastbound traffic and a lane for bicyclists leading to the Brooke County Pioneer Trail below. Officials unsure of October target date for opening of Wellsburg Bridge by Jaime Baker Wed, March 2nd 2022, 3:08 PM PST bridge.JPG BROOKE COUNTY, W.Va. Work is continuing on the. Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act creates a new criminal charge. which began on site in 2018 and is due for completion in 2022. Wellsburg Bridge Brilliant, Ohio, and Wellsburg, West Virginia Value: $131 million Delivery: Design-Build, Public-Private Partnerships Market: Bridges Division: Mid-Atlantic Division View Project N.C. 12 Rodanthe Bridge Rodanthe, NC Value: $145 million Delivery: Design-Build Market: Bridges Division: Mid-Atlantic Division View Project A potential traffic signal is to be determined. WELLSBURG An event marking the completion of the most significant milestone to date for the Wellsburg Bridge Project is tentatively scheduled for the middle of this week, according to. The $131 million bridge will connect state Route 2 in Wellsburg with state Route 7 in Brilliant, Ohio. The bridge will connect the community of Wellsburg with Brilliant, Ohio. According to West Virginia Division of Highways Area Engineer Mike Witherow, the tied arch span steel is prefabricated steel that was painted before the span was assembled so it will remain the brown color it is now. :Yes, that's a thing Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice here to stay. The bridge will connect the community of Wellsburg with Brilliant, Ohio. He said the walls will be about 180 feet long and stand up to 18 feet. * [3.8.y.z extended stable] Linux 3.8.13.14 stable review @ 2013-12-06 23:08 Kamal Mostafa 2013-12-06 23:08 ` [PATCH 3.8 001/152] ipv6: ip6_dst_check needs to check for expired ds The Legendary News Radio 1170 WWVA, Home of Ron Potesta in the morning 6-9am and the Bloomdaddy hour from 9-10am! The Wellsburg Bridge will provide a key artery for communities in northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio when it opens in the fall of 2022. DOH officials said construction crews must still complete a retaining wall and backfill on the West Virginia side of the bridge and finish pier work on the West Virginia side. Twelve years is enough. There, Flatiron officials will share opening remarks and important information regarding the two-day event schedule. Copyright Weirton Daily Times | https://www.weirtondailytimes.com | 114 Lee Ave., Weirton, WV 26062 | 304-748-0606. When finished, the bridge will extend across the river from Route 2 about a mile south of Wellsburg to the intersection of Third and Cleaver streets near state Route 7 in Brilliant. Dutch Bridge Won't Be Dismantled for Yacht BROOKE COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) - The Wellsburg Bridge project is inching ever closer to completion. More than two years after the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge, crews with the Flatiron Corp. of Broomfield, Colo., continue constructing the piers and supporting structures across the Ohio River between Wellsburg and Brilliant. Central Division, State Route 20 Timbuctoo Roadway Improvement and Bridge Project, Market: Wellsburg Bridge is a significant project for Flatiron and the state of West Virginia. Construction began in April 2018. Clark said it depends on the weather and temperatures if crews will be able to get the decks poured by the end of the year. Hendrickson said this fall, crews will build retaining walls on each side of the highway beneath the connecting girders. WELLSBURG An event marking the completion of the most significant milestone to date for the Wellsburg Bridge Project is tentatively scheduled for the middle of this week, according to officials with Flatiron Construction and the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The purpose of the Phase I Report was to analyze and determine the need for a new Ohio River Bridge crossing within an area extending from the former location of the Fort Steuben Bridge north of Steubenville, OH to the southern most end of Brooke County, WV. "I've been a part of this since 2017. Justice said the bridge is a collaboration of the West Virginia and Ohio departments of transportation, and both have drawn on federal highway money to finance it. Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act creates a new criminal charge. Updated: Apr 27, 2021 / 05:07 AM EDT Jacks to be removed Tuesday Wellsburg, WV ( WTRF )- The Wellsburg Bridge was moved into place Monday. A circumstance in which only one river crossing exists within the metropolitan area would create an unacceptable emergency response time situation. Thanks for signing up! Awarded in 2016, the $131 million Wellsburg Bridge is Flatirons first project in the state and West Virginias first alternative delivery project. The Wellsburg Bridge structure has reached its permanent location. Crews with Flatiron Construction move an 830-foot long tied arch span on the barges on the Ohio River, Monday, April 26, 2021, as part of the construction process of the Wellsburg Bridge. He added that crews are now working on the same operation on the West Virginia side and doing formwork on the deck itself. Over a nearly four-hour span, the tied-arch span will float down river past the piers before being turned 90 degrees and positioned in the final orientation at the lifting location just south of the piers. Hendrickson said crews soon will be pouring concrete for the deck and confirmed November remains the anticipated month of completion. WELLSBURG, W.Va. At this time next year, West Virginia Division of Highways District 6 Engineer Tony Clark and other DOH officials are hopeful the first cars will be able to cross the Wellsburg Bridge. The section of highway was closed for three nights to accommodate the maneuver. Flatiron decided to build the main span of the bridge on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River and hold the float. Do Not Sell My Personal Information Piers were already constructed and the bridge was raised to the necessary height on Tuesday then pushed upstream and lowered onto those piers, MetroNews previously reported. - Tony Clark/DOH, The 830-foot main span of the bridge was floated down the Ohio River and lifted onto its pilings on Monday and Tuesday. You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account. Clark told MetroNews with the work that has been done since the bridges historic float into place and what is planned for the spring and summer in 2022, that the end of October 2022 is the projected target range for the completion of the $131 million project in Brooke County. An existing road bridge does not exist so I can't get a satellite image of what was being replaced. The contract specified a completion date of March, 2021. The level of environmental documentation presented was an Environmental Assessment (EA). As of Friday afternoon, both Flatiron and DOH officials did not verify those closure times. In addition to the bridge, they have to do some major road building on the WV side. Hendrickson said crews have widened the intersection of Third and Cleaver streets to allow the addition of turn lanes for the bridge. I'm interested in (please check all that apply). On the West Virginia side, crews have been working on a half-mile-long retaining wall along the west side of W.Va. 2 that also will allow the highway to be widened toward the river. Subscribe Now . Prior to the start of the bridge float, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, the media has been invited to a staging area near the tied arch span. When completed, the bridge will connect Route 2 in West Virginia, near Wellsburg, to Route 7 in Brilliant, Ohio, providing a key and reliable artery for northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio communities. The county also considered a winter-time installation of the concrete deck. Search West Virginia Division of Highways District 6 Engineer Tony Clark said the jacking system will be used to move the tied arch span because no cranes are heavy enough to support a structure of this size. The jacks are scheduled to be removed Tuesday. Phase II, through a publicly-approved quantitative matrix, walked the community through logical constraints and benefits. The current timeline calls for the bridge to be completed in March 2021, cutting the trip between Wellsburg and Brilliant by 17 miles (or 20 minutes, in local parlance). Copyright 2023 West Virginia MetroNews Network. Stay with 7NEWS . By connecting via Fixie Socks, users can integrate with external services and databases that do IP allowlisting. He also said there is similar work that needs on the Ohio side. Wellsburg Bridge project inches closer to completion, expected to open in 2023 . The $143 million design-build project includes a new major Ohio River crossinga three-lane bridge with a shared use path from Wellsburg, West Virginia to Brilliant, Ohio. The project was definitely unique for West Virginia.. These included replacing the existing bridges in their current location as well as two options for a new bridge in the southern portion of the planning area. Related:South Main Street bridge in Elmira closed for construction, Public safety:Murder victim Juan Gotay probably knew his assailants, motive still not made public, DA says, Business:Elmira Savings Bank will merge with larger Community Bank N.A. They proposed this to us. Hours: 10 am-8 pm. B&T has construction photos from more than one visit. When the Wellsburg Bridge is complete in Fall 2022, it will connect Wellsburg, West Virginia, and Brilliant, Ohio. This study report was based on the Alternative Crossing 8B alignment and configuration as shown in Appendix A (Sheets A-1 through A-3). The current timeline calls for the bridge to be completed in March 2021, cutting the trip between Wellsburg and Brilliant by 17 miles (or 20 minutes, in local parlance). The jacks are scheduled to be removed Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/yIuTPCK293. Piers were already constructed and the bridge was raised to the necessary height then pushed upstream and lowered onto those piers. Concrete for the main span of the bridge also must still be poured, Clark added. Updated: Apr 27, 2021 / 05:07 AM EDT Jacks to be removed Tuesday Wellsburg, WV ( WTRF )- The Wellsburg Bridge was moved into place Monday. He said it is too early to say if it becomes commonplace in the Mountain State. Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Employment | Affiliates Intranet Once in place, the structure was jacked up, and additional pilings were set underneath until it was high enough to rest on its support piers.