Construction Begins on a Major Gateway to Wheeling’s Waterfront

Eric Ayres

WHEELING -- Work is underway on a project by the city of Wheeling to complete renovations on an additional block of downtown to conform with the adjacent improvements from the state's Downtown Streetscape Project.

Crews from Savage Construction have been demolishing sidewalks on 12th Street between Main and Water streets near the main archway entrance to Heritage Port. Trees along this block were cut out a number of weeks ago. The work is expected to continue for several weeks to help bring uniformity to key downtown streets and sidewalks as work on the $37 million Streetscape project winds down.

Although the section of 12th Street between Main and Water streets was not one of the side streets being renovated as part of the state project, city leaders took note last year of how shabby the uneven sidewalks and old pavement looked in contrast with the significant upgrades along the nearby stretch of Main Street that the state contractor had finished.

Nearly a year ago, members of Wheeling City Council had initially considered simply adding the short portion of 12th Street to the state's contract as a change order in order to keep the design and the materials uniform with the Streetscape work.

The West Virginia Division of Highways provided a $187,732 price for the proposed change order from its general contractor, Triton Construction of St. Albans, W.Va. However, Savage Construction of Wheeling submitted a $159,690 quote for the work, and city leaders elected to hire them for the job instead of potentially taking manpower away from Triton or extending the completion date for the overall project, which is expected to be finished next month.

The work on 12th Street is expected to include installation of new sidewalks, new curbs and some fresh landscaping. Unlike the rest of the Downtown Streetscape Project, there is no major underground utility or storm sewer work involved.

Officials noted the street and sidewalks on Water Street adjacent to Heritage Port were already in decent shape, and the upgrade to the missing piece of the puzzle along 12th Street will bring improvements to a key block of downtown that serves as a main gateway to the waterfront.