Bridgeport Exempted Village School District is buzzing with activity this summer since groundbreaking on a state-funded multipurpose facility. (Photo Provided)

Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley and school board members anticipate a much busier campus once school kicks off in fall.

Since the late May groundbreaking ceremony for the state-funded multipurpose facility to be dubbed “the Bridge,” the parking lot has been gated off due to the number of trucks and heavy machinery in front of the elementary school portion of the building, and officials are looking to the start of the school year.

“We are right where we need to be. We don’t have students right now, so we’re trying to get as much site work done as possible so when school starts our parents can use the high school/middle school entrance to drop off their kids. The roadway will be open, parking will be here, and the construction portion will be gated off.”

He said it will be a bright new day in Bridgeport when the Bridge is completed in 2026. The district has been meticulous in laying a firm foundation before turning the first shovel of earth. Since announcing state funding to the tune of $14 million to build a 28,500-square-foot addition on the district campus to serve health, education and community needs for the surrounding area, they have held months of planning sessions and three public meetings to hear from community members and stakeholders who will offer their services through the Bridge.

Construction through the 2025-26 school year and increased traffic afterward was on the table when they reviewed progress with project manager Ivan Vukevitch of the SHP interdisciplinary design group and senior project manager Andy Lowther of Beaver Construction.

Parking led the discussion. Ripley pointed out going with angled slots would give the campus 36 additional spaces, but right-angle parking could create 50 more parking spaces.

“We’re just looking at a way to get the most parking available we can with the property we own,” he said. “We want to create as little disruption as possible in the lives of everybody who’s dropping off students during school hours or who’s coming here for events.”

Ripley said they will also meet the needs of increased enrollment.

“We’re up 38 students next year in enrollment. That number’s going to continue to grow for our district. That’s another reason we’re looking at expanding the parking. We want the families when they pull in here to drop their kids off, or if they’re coming for an event, to have adequate parking on site for all those activities.”

The lot will be ready for use by August when school reopens.

“By the beginning of school, we want to have that additional parking in place for parents. The expanded parking spaces may be gravel to start off, but we will pave those spaces prior to our grand opening of the Bridge.”

Talk also turned to the placement of signs for the many visitors who will be using the Bridge once it is completed. This includes exterior signage to mark the health care clinic areas and day care. WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital will open a clinic on site.

“Our focus is on bringing an educational system that supports the whole student and adult, mind, body and soul,” Ripley said.