Gov. Tours I-70 Bridges Project in Wheeling
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WHEELING -- Gov. Jim Justice visited the work site at the Fulton Bridges on Tuesday afternoon, evaluating the progress on the I-70 Bridges Project as one part nears completion.
Justice came by to visit the work site for the first time since the project began, and on the last day that the westbound tunnel would be entirely closed. Beginning today, "Ramp J," which connects W.Va. 2 north to the tunnel, will re-open. The remaining closed portions of the westbound route will re-open in the coming months, according to acting district engineer Tony Clark, while the eastbound side will close in early 2021, after the Festival of Lights traffic to Oglebay Park eases up.
"The great part about it is, in not too long, we're going to open this ramp and everything on I-70," Justice said. "They're doing unbelievable work, but the whole effort is to be open as much as they possibly can for the Festival of Lights."
Justice said the road work around Wheeling, which he called one of the state's most crucial communities, was necessary to keep the city alive. This ties into Wheeling's $25 million streetscape project, which will resurface parts of Main and Market streets along with much-needed infrastructure upgrades beneath the blacktop.
"Wheeling is not only beautiful and wonderful, and vital to the state of West Virginia, ... from the standpoint of the streets downtown, I think now that's in motion to do next summer, and it needs badly to be done," Justice said. "It's a crying shame. If we're going to market Wheeling, we've got to have our streets really in great shape. This is such an area that can grow, and there are so many opportunities here.
"Everyone asks about schools, but the next thing everyone comes around asking me is about roads. It's vital to attract people to our state, to attract jobs," he said.
Justice said he was confident that Swank Construction would continue their quality work on the eastbound Fulton Bridge next year, and estimated that the work would come in ahead of schedule.
"I know it's an inconvenience, but it's a safety issue, as well as a way for us to get around in a more expedient way. It's good stuff, and these people have done great work."
Clark said he was excited to show off the work that's been completed to the governor in person, rather than sending along photos of the progress.
"I think he was excited to see it," Clark said. "Things are on-track to be possibly early. It's too early to say, it just depends on weather and other factors, but things are looking real good."