The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) has secured a temporary bridge and will be installing it beginning Friday, January 30, 2026, on Middle Fork Drive in Charleston.
“We plan to start setting it and have it open and traffic back on it by Tuesday of next week,” said WVDOH District 1 Manager Travis Knighton.
A bridge, located at approximately milepost 14.5, was closed on Middle Fork Drive on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, following a routine bridge inspection. Detours were put in place, but continued cold weather and the aftermath of a winter storm made getting in and out difficult.
Recognizing the inconvenience to residents, the WVDOH was able to expedite a purchase order for a 55-foot temporary bridge to be laid over the existing span until the bridge can be replaced. Cost of the temporary bridge will be $104,000.
Crews from the WVDOH Equipment Division in Buckhannon were on their way to Warren, Ohio, on Thursday, January 29, to pick up the temporary bridge. District 1 bridge crews, assisted by WVDOH Central Forces, were expected to start removing the guardrails from the old bridge on Thursday and begin installing the temporary bridge on Friday, January 30.