CHARLESTON, WV – Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday, October 6, 2026, on crossovers to prepare for January 2027 lane closures on the Interstate 64 Fort Hill Truss Bridge rehabilitation project.
Built in 1975, the iconic I-64 Fort Hill Bridge, also known as the Eugene A. Carter Memorial Bridge, carries nearly 100,000 vehicles over the Kanawha River daily. This important link serves not only as a major east-west corridor to move interstate traffic from Missouri to Virginia, but also supports daily commuters traveling into and out of the capital city of Charleston.
“The WVDOT considers the I-64 Fort Hill Bridge Rehabilitation Project the top priority for the Charleston area and is working closely with our project partners to minimize the impact to the traveling public while also providing a safe work zone for the contractor,” said state Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh.
“The Fort Hill Bridge is one of the most heavily traveled structures in West Virginia, and this project is critical to preserving it for future generations,” Rumbaugh said. “Throughout construction, our focus will be on maintaining safety and minimizing disruptions for the thousands of motorists who rely on this bridge every day.”
Why Are Crossovers Needed?
Two crossovers will be constructed: one between the Montrose Drive and Oakwood Road interchanges, and a second between the Lee Street and Bigley Avenue interchanges. These crossovers are necessary to allow traffic to switch to one side of the bridge during major rehabilitation activities. Crossover construction will be performed at night and on weekends using lane closures in the fast lane. This work includes removal of the existing concrete barriers, pavement patching, and placement of temporary barriers.
Project Phasing will be an Important Part of the Construction Schedule
In June, Triton Construction Inc. was awarded a contract for $74,500,000 to replace the deck on the 51-year-old bridge.
Early next year, Triton plans to move all traffic to the eastbound lanes of the bridge to replace the deck on the westbound side. Once completed, traffic will be moved to the westbound lanes to replace the eastbound half of the span.
All construction activity is being carefully planned and coordinated to minimize traffic impacts to the public. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow posted work zone guidance, and allow additional travel time when passing through active construction areas.
All work is expected to be complete by the spring of 2028.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) has resources available to help motorists stay informed and plan their drive during construction. The project website, available at https://www.i64forthillbridge.com/, offers access to up-to-date details about the project and the anticipated construction schedule. The Fort Hill Bridge website will be updated regularly as work progresses, providing a transparent and accessible source of information throughout the life of the project.
Real-time traffic conditions and travel updates are available through the state’s WV 511 site at wv511.org or via the WV511 Drive Safe mobile app. Additional project information is available at https://www.i64forthillbridge.com/, or by scanning the following QR code:
