Community

Downtown Wheeling Water Line Project Off to a Smooth Start

WHEELING -- The nearly year-long waterline replacement project that began in downtown Wheeling earlier this week got off to a smooth start, according to Public Works Director Russell "Rusty" Jebbia.

Crews with Pro Contracting Incorporated installed the first new pieces of waterline at the corner of 16th and Main Streets early in the week, shortly after removing old sections of waterline that were installed well over a century ago. Jebbia said it is part of the city's contract with Pro Contracting to remove and dispose of the old sections of cast iron waterline that was installed in the 1880s.

"So far, so good," Jebbia said of the start of the project.

Since the project began Monday, crews have moved along a small section of 16th Street, while traffic has narrowed to one lane around the workzone. Currently, a small section of the northbound lane of Main Street near the Main Street Bridge is closed to traffic while construction moves up 16th Street.

Over the coming weeks the project is scheduled to continue along 16th Street before turning up Market Street. Work will continue along Market Street up to 10th Street, cross 10th Street to Main Street, then eventually move down Main Street near the Fort Henry Bridge back to 16th Street in the coming months. The work is scheduled to take place weekly from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with Friday being used as an inclement weather day, through January 31, 2022.

While some lane changes and small detours will be in place, Jebbia said motorists will still be able to travel around the construction zone.