A comprehensive project to upgrade traffic lights and controllers throughout downtown Parkersburg headlines a list of five key infrastructure construction projects included in a bid letting conducted by the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
January 28 Bid Letting Project Overview
The letting includes a mix of localized structural upgrades, multi-county maintenance, and statewide technological repairs:
| Project Description | Location / Region Covered |
|---|---|
| Parkersburg Traffic Light Renovation | Wood County |
| Statewide Repair & Maintenance Focused on traffic signals, roadway lighting, and traffic cameras | Statewide |
| Johnny O’Dell Linville Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation | Mingo County |
| District 3 Guardrail Installation & Upgrades | Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, and Wood counties |
| Low Water Crossing Installation Located at the Jug Wildlife Management Area | Tyler County |
Bid Evaluation and Review Process
Before a contract is formally finalized and awarded, several critical factors are thoroughly evaluated. WVDOH reviews whether each incoming proposal falls above or below the official internal WVDOH Engineer’s Estimate. If a submission exceeds the baseline estimate, officials must rigorously evaluate:
- The immediate, critical need of the project.
- The public safety and infrastructure repercussions of delaying or failing to award the contract.
- The availability of supplemental or alternative funding sources.
- The specific justifications for the discrepancies between the contractor's bid and internal state metrics.
While the vast majority of projects are fully reviewed, analyzed, and awarded within one week of the initial bid letting, complex evaluations can extend this timeframe.
How the Bid Letting Process Works
When the WVDOH determines that a state infrastructure project is best suited for construction by an external contractor, it is processed through the public bid letting system. A letting serves as a regularly scheduled opportunity for pre-qualified contractors to systematically review and bid on multiple engineering projects simultaneously.
These letting events occur once or twice per month. They are managed by the Contract Administration Division and securely processed online through the Bid Express System online platform. To submit an official proposal on any active civil project, contractors must maintain an active subscription to the platform prior to the designated letting date.
