Six bridge replacements among 19 projects awarded by Division of Highways

CHARLESTON, WV – On Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Division of Highways announced construction projects to replace six bridges around the state of West Virginia. The bridge projects were among contracts awarded from a bid letting held Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021.

Orders Construction Company Inc. was the low bidder on a project to replace the Superior Bridge in McDowell County, with a bid of $5,475,190.44. The concrete deck bridge, built in 1945, carries US 52 over Elkhorn Creek and is rated in poor condition. The project will be paid for with funding from Governor Justice’s $2.8 billion Roads to Prosperity highway construction and maintenance program.

Rock Fork Bridge Co. LLC was low bidder on a project to replace the Kimball Slab Bridge in McDowell County, with a bid of $1,055,349. The bridge, built in 1932, carries US 52 over Laurel Branch and also rates in poor condition.

Rock Fork Bridge Co. LLC was also low bidder on a project to replace the J.C. Cruikshank Memorial Bridge in Clay County, with a bid of $3,636,944.16. The bridge, built in 1939, crosses the Elk River in Ivydale and requires trucks and buses cross one at a time.

Bear Contracting LLC was low bidder on a project to replace the Beechlick Run Bridge in Marion County, with a bid of $440,232.30. The current bridge, built in 1920, is subject to an eight-ton weight restriction.

Rock Fork Bridge Co. LLC was low bidder on a project to replace the Pot Branch Bridge in Kanawha County, with a bid of $495,259.30. The existing bridge was built in 1976 and will be replaced with a precast concrete box culvert.

Rock Fork Bridge Co. LLC was also low bidder on a project to replace the Bentley Road Bridge in Boone County, with a bid of $492,868.80. The timber-decked bridge over Turtle Creek is subject to a 10-ton weight limit.

Contracts awarded in November were:

Mountaineer Contractors Inc. was low bidder on a project to widen about three miles of WV 2 near Parkersburg in Wood County to four lanes, with a bid of $27,460,293.38. (Roads to Prosperity)
Corcon Inc. was low bidder on a bridge maintenance project between Carter Bridge and the Brooks Street interchange in Kanawha County, with a bid of $27,662,369.66.
Orders Construction Company Inc. was low bidder on a project to replace the Superior Bridge in McDowell County, with a bid of $5,475,190.44. (Roads to Prosperity)
Jefferson Asphalt Products Co. Inc. was low bidder on a widening project on WV 45 in Berkeley County, with a bid of $10,976,275.62.
Specialty Groups Inc. was low bidder on a lighting project at the Weston interchange of Interstate 79 in Lewis County, with a bid of $2,978,091.
Rock Forge Bridge Co. LLC was low bidder on a project to replace the Kimball Slab Bridge in McDowell County, with a bid of $1,055,349. (Roads to Prosperity)
Rock Forge Bridge Co. LLC was also low bidder on a project to replace the J.C. Cruikshank Memorial Bridge in Clay County, with a bid of $3,636,944.16.
McClanahan Construction Company LLC was low bidder on an ADA curb ramp project on Adams Avenue in Cabell County, with a bid of $748,140.
Bear Contracting LLC was low bidder on a project to replace the Beechlick Run Bridge in Marion County, with a bid of $440,232.30.
Ohio-West Virginia Excavating Co. was low bidder on a streetscape project on Weirton Park Drive in Brooke County, with a bid of $318,312.
Triton Construction, Inc. was low bidder on a project to rehabilitate the historic Capon Bridge in Hampshire County, with a bid of $7,166,000.
Alan Stone Co. Inc. was low bidder on a sidewalk improvement project in St. Marys in Pleasants County, with a bid of $156,053.88.
Cast & Baker Corporation was low bidder on a stormwater separation project in Glendale Heights in Marshall County, with a bid of $474,711.90.
Kelly Paving Inc. was low bidder on a concrete repair project in South Wheeling in Ohio County, with a bid of $5,960,314.35.
Wolf Creek Contracting Company LLC was low bidder on an ADA curb ramp and sidewalk project near Gihon Elementary School in Wood County, with a bid of $322,106.51.
Triton Construction Inc. was low bidder on a pile wall repair project on Holbert Road in Marion County, with a bid of $3,472,000.
Rock Forge Bridge Co. LLC was low bidder on a project to replace the Pot Branch Bridge in Kanawha County, with a bid of $495,259.30.
Rock Forge Bridge Co. LLC was also low bidder on a project to replace the Bentley Road Bridge in Boone County, with a bid of $492,868.80.

Several factors are considered before awarding a bid, including whether a bid falls above or below the WVDOH Engineer’s Estimate and by what percentage. In cases where a bid is above the Engineer’s Estimate, WVDOH must consider the project need, repercussions of not awarding the project, additional funding sources and whether or not sufficient reasons exist for the differences in estimates. Most projects are reviewed, analyzed and awarded within a week of the bid letting, but the process can take longer.

When the Division of Highways has a project that is determined to be best constructed by a contractor, it is processed through the bid letting system. A letting is a scheduled opportunity for contractors to review and bid on several construction projects at one time. Lettings are held either once or twice per month and conducted through the Bid Express System online at www.bidx.comand handled through the Contract Administration Division. Contractors need to subscribe to Bid Express before bids can be accepted on any project.

As the date and time approaches for the deadline of the letting, contractors are expected to place their bids, with complete documentation as necessary. Shortly after the letting, the respective bids are reviewed. All bids are evaluated thoroughly for competitiveness and deemed acceptable through guidelines as approved by policy, reviewed and approved by the FHWA. Award of the contracts is made based on recommendation by our Awards Committee based on the results that evaluation and approval by the Commissioner. Projects are typically awarded to the lowest bidder that has all proper documentation in place.

Six bridge replacements among 19 projects awarded by Division of Highways

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