WHEELING, W.Va. — Repair work may begin next week on the U.S. 22 Veterans Memorial Bridge between Steubenville and Weirton after the deck and an expansion joint were damaged by a piece of equipment that fell off a truck late Wednesday evening.
The equipment first hit an expansion joint on the bridge and then damaged the concrete bridge deck. One lane of Ohio 7 was closed because of concerns about debris falling from the bridge.
Waseem Khalifa, Ohio Department of Transportation District 11 bridge program manager, said the bridge was inspected Thursday, with engineers recommending an emergency agreement with a private contractor to perform the repairs.
Khalifa said about half of the expansion joint will have to be cut out and replaced. He said large holes in the concrete deck also will have to be repaired.
The bridge will be limited to one lane eastbound until the repair work is completed, Khalifa said.
The repair work may take a week to complete, he added.
It’s that time of year again when the orange barrels come out of winter hibernation. Numerous road projects in the area are set to begin Monday, and drivers need to pay extra attention when traveling through work zones.
— In Ohio County, drivers can expect various lane closures in both directions of Interstate70 between the Dallas Pike exit and the Pennsylvania state line as a result of a paving project.
Crews from Strawser Construction Inc. will be performing crack sealing work prior to resurfacing the pavement. This project is expected to be completed by April 21. Work for this project will take place between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. nightly.
One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times. Motorists are advised to watch for informational signage and changing traffic patterns.
— Also on Monday, the right lane of Main Street in downtown Wheeling will be closed from 11th to 16th streets to allow the city’s Water Pollution Control Division to install a new storm sewer. This work is expected to continue through July 28.
— Drivers in Marshall County should be aware that beginning Monday, W.Va. 2 near Monarch Stadium will see delays between 10 a.m. and noon in 15-minute increments. These delays are necessary for crews from American Electric Power to relocate power lines.
The alternate route for southbound traffic is the U.S. 250 Extension to Jefferson Avenue, Seventh Street and W.Va. 2. Northbound traffic should use Seventh Street to Jefferson Avenue to the U.S. 250 Extension to W.Va. 2.
— Also Monday, Roberts Ridge Road, will be closed near the Bowman Ridge Community Center. This closure will occur from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday as heavy maintenance crews repair a slip.
Traffic will be maintained during non-working hours with traffic lights. School buses, emergency vehicles and the postal service will be accommodated. The alternate route is Big Grave Creek Road.
