WVDOH awards contract for Jefferson County traffic signal near Washington High School

A contract to install a traffic signal at a Jefferson County intersection where a new Sheetz recently opened is among 26 construction projects awarded by the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

The WVDOH also awarded contracts for several bridge replacement and renovation projects. The awards come from a bid letting conducted on Tuesday, December 12, 2024.

Sheetz opened a new store in December 2023 near Washington High School in Jefferson County. The new store is located across from the intersection of Washington Patriots Drive and Augustine Avenue, just off US 340 near Charles Town.

Augustine Avenue provides access to Washington High School. While Sheetz agreed to pay for a new traffic signal at the intersection and to widen Augustine Avenue and add additional turn lanes to improve traffic flow, the WVDOH installed a four-way stop at the intersection until the traffic light can be installed.

On Wednesday, January 3, 2023, West Virginia Signal and Light Inc. was awarded a contract for $333,884.50 to install the new traffic signal.

For now, WVDOH District 5 Engineer Lee Thorne, P.E., said the four-way stop is doing its job.

“It’s safe, but it’s not as efficient as this signal will be,” Thorne said. “The new signal will minimize backup of traffic.” Thorne also said the signal will accommodate pedestrians in conjunction with a new crosswalk.

Electrical work and foundation work for the traffic signal is expected to begin soon. Masts for the traffic signal are custom-made and will have to be fabricated.

Augustine Avenue carries about 2,600 cars a day, while Huyett Road carries about 2,400. The new Sheetz is expected to bring fewer than 200 additional vehicles from US 340 in the peak hour.

Other projects awarded on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, include:

Turman Morton Inc. was the low bidder on a project to replace the Peter Cave Arch Bridge, with a bid of $2,263,708.55. (Wayne County)
ALL Concrete Inc. was the low bidder on a project to replace the Bloomery Pike Bridge, with a bid of $1,444,305.40. (Hampshire County)
ALL Concrete Inc. was also the low bidder on a construction project for the Bloomery Pike Bridge No. 2, with a bid of $1,582,593.58. (Hampshire County)
Specialty Groups Inc. was the low bidder on a renovation project on the Blaney Bridge, with a bid of $43,845.64. (Ohio County)
Specialty Groups Inc. was also the low bidder on a renovation project on the Kruger Street Bridge in Wheeling, with a bid of $203,585.45. (Ohio County)
Turman Morton Inc. was the low bidder on a project to replace the Poker Hollow Bridge, with a bid of $2,399,198.41. (Lincoln County
Tempo Construction LLC was the low bidder on a project to replace the 11^th Streeet Bridge in Moundsville, with a bid of $120,565. (Marshall County)
First Fruits Excavating Inc. was the low bidder on a pedestrian and bicycle path project in Bruceton Mills, with a bid of $217,235. (Preston County)
Tempo Construction LLC was the low bidder on a project to replace the Bolair Bridge, with a bid of $1,911,589.20. (Webster County)
RAM Construction Services of Michigan Inc. was the low bidder on a deck renovation project on the Ragland Road Bridge, with a bid of $74,349.28. (Raleigh County)
West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on Connell Road in Charleston, with a bid of $516,156. (Kanawha County)
Catts Construction Inc. was the low bidder on a renovation project on the eastbound and westbound Michael A. Mikey Hart Memorial Bridge on US 33, with a bid of $14,183,538.66. (Barbour and Randolph counties)
Davis H. Elliot Construction Company Inc. was the low bidder on a project to install traffic signals along US 119 (Corridor G) near Charleston, with a bid of $2,458,395.40. (Kanawha County)
Davis H. Elliot Construction Company Inc. was also the low bidder on a traffic signal renovation project in Follansbee, with a bid of $1,320,203.50. (Brooke County)
West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on US 622 from Institute to Cross Lanes, with a bid of $565,202.40. (Kanawha County)
Brayman Construction Corporation was the low bidder on a renovation project on the Sandstone Bridge, with a bid of $8,832,335.74. (Summers County)
West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 10 from Smith Creek to Campfire Road, with a bid of $560,624. (Cabell County)
SQP Construction Group Inc. was the low bidder on an ADA ramp project in Mason and Putnam counties, with a bid of $1,260,406. (Mason and Putnam counties)
SQP Construction Group Inc. was also the low bidder on an ADA ramp project in Parkersburg, with a bid of $1,119,649. (Wood County)
West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 16 from Lizemores to Bickmore, with a bid of $747,051.77. (Clay County)
W-L Construction & Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a turn lane construction project on US 11 in Martinsburg, with a bid of $1,255,666.62. (Berkeley County)
LMS Construction Inc. was the low bidder on a sidewalk, pedestrian and bicycle facility project in Hundred, with a bid of $274,946. (Wetzel County)
R.K. Construction Inc. was the low bidder on a project to replace the Indian Creek I-beam Bridge, with a bid of $460,411.24. (Monongalia County)
Orders Construction Company Inc. was the low bidder on a renovation project on the Tornado Bridge, with a bid of $4,663,528.90. (Kanawha County)
Mountaineer Contractors Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on Interstate 68 from Coopers Rock Road to Laurel Run Bridge, with a bid of $3,207,857.72. (Preston County)
Saffo Contractors Inc. was the low bidder on a cleaning and painting project on the Chapmanville WV 10 overpass on US 119, with a bid of $860,000. (Logan County)
West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 61 from Montgomery to Pratt, with a bid of $1,128,587.24. (Kanawha County)

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 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.com and handled through the Contract Administration Division. Contractors need to subscribe to Bid Express before bids can be accepted on any project.

WVDOH awards contract for Jefferson County traffic signal near Washington High School

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