MINGO COUNTY-
The West Virginia
Department of Transportation (WVDOT) in cooperation with the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) is seeking comments regarding the rehabilitation of
Dingess Tunnel. The project consists of rehabilitating the Dingess Tunnel by
replacing the steel liner and replace or repoint loose or missing bricks. LED lighting with vandal shields will be
installed inside the tunnel. Drainage above the northern end of the tunnel will
be intercepted by constructing a concrete gutter. Also, warning and guidance
signs will be installed outside of the tunnel to warn motorists of the one-lane
driving conditions inside the structure.
County Routes 3/12 and 3/10 will be upgraded to serve as a detour over
the tunnel to accommodate traffic during constriction.
Dingess Tunnel has
been determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places for
improving access and transportation in the region and its engineering
significance. FHWA and WVDOT will
process this project using a Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of
Transportation Act of 1966 Net Benefit finding on the use of a historic
property. A Net Benefit is achieved when the transportation use, the measures
to minimize harm, and the mitigation incorporated into the project results in
an overall enhancement of the Section 4(f) property when compared to the No
Build Alternative, Avoidance Alternatives, and present condition of the
property.
Those wishing to
file written comments may send them to R.J. Scites, P.E., Director Engineering
Division, West Virginia Division of Highways, 1334 Smith Street, Charleston,
WV 25301 on or before Monday, September
19, 2016. Visit the WVDOH Website at
http://go.wv.gov/dotcomment for project
information and the opportunity to comment on the project.