Final Tweaks Being Made on Nearly Complete Streetscape Project

WHEELING -- Crews with Triton Construction are completing final adjustments and are expected to address punch list items as the West Virginia Division of Highways' $38 million Wheeling Downtown Streetscape Project nears completion.

The construction phase of the project began in October 2022, and nearly four years later, the extensive downtown renovation is winding down.

Officials have noted construction crews in recent weeks have been working on sections of the project that were previously completed. In some areas, portions of sidewalks, intersections, street drains and curbs have been torn out and reconstructed.

"Some sidewalk sections are being replaced because recent inspections revealed they did not meet the 2 percent slope requirement per ADA specifications," West Virginia DOH District 6 Engineer Brian Kusich said. "Other areas are being addressed to improve drainage."

Across the project area, several issues were identified during walk-through inspections and require adjustments. A final inspection of the overall project is expected to produce a punch list of items that must be completed before the contract is considered finished.

"A final inspection with all involved parties will be conducted soon, which may identify additional sidewalk sections that require remediation," Kusich said.

The Downtown Streetscape Project includes new street surfaces and markings, sidewalks, crosswalks, signalization, landscaping, stormwater management systems and other improvements to the central business district. The work spans Main and Market streets downtown, as well as connecting streets including 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th streets, and portions of Chapline and Eoff streets near the West Virginia Route 2/U.S. Route 250 connection in East Wheeling.

According to project plans, the work includes more than 41,000 square yards of finishing asphalt, 7,000 linear feet of curb, 2,414 square yards of brick banding, 10,372 landscaping bulbs, 315 trees and 1,115 shrubs.

Triton Construction of St. Albans was awarded the general contract with a winning bid of about $31.9 million. Since then, delays and additional costs have occurred through change orders over the course of the project. The original completion date was set for November 2024.

Officials say the finish line is now in sight as crews address remaining issues.

"The DOH, with the city, has observed what's been going on once construction's been done, and there are little things that need to be tweaked," Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said. "Basically, they're circling back. Based on the history of what's been occurring -- particularly from a rain event perspective -- they're making adjustments so that any issues associated with stormwater or ADA accessibility are being addressed."

For example, after the Main Street portion of the project was completed, water was observed pooling near the intersection of Main and 14th streets following heavy rains. Because the project remains under contract, crews returned to adjust curbs and bioswales at the intersection so stormwater drains more efficiently based on how runoff flows through the redesigned area.

"It's a normal part of any project to create a punch list and go back and fix things that need to be addressed, and that's what's occurring right now," Herron said. "They've been communicating and working to address known problems and have those addressed before the punch list comes out. It's a very normal part of any project."

Herron said at least one more inspection is expected before final punch list items are presented to the contractor. Otherwise, the project is considered to have reached substantial completion.

Herron praised state officials for their cooperation throughout the project and their commitment to achieving the best possible results.

"In our meetings with the DOH, in particular the walk-through that we did a couple of weeks ago, they are really in tune with what's going on with the project, and the DOH personnel want to get it right," Herron said. "We brought some issues to their attention from a landscaping perspective as well as sidewalk issues, and they're already addressing those. So we really appreciate the cooperation with the DOH."