WVDOH accepts bids for I-64 bridge project

A project to replace two interstate bridges dating from the early days of Interstate 64 is among 31 construction projects included in a bid letting conducted by the West Virginia Division of Highways on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

The eastbound and westbound bridges, at milepost 179 on I-64 in Greenbrier County, cross over two lines of railroad track owned by CSX.

“The two existing bridges at this location are part of the original segment of I-64 that was built in 1965, which for a long time ended at Sam Black Church,” said Tracy Brown, P.E., WVDOH State Bridge Engineer. “The remaining section into Beckley was built in the late 1980's, fully connecting I-64 to Interstate 77 and the West Virginia Turnpike.

“These bridges are now 60 years old and have seen a lot of salt and chlorides over the years given the relatively harsh winter weather this region of the state routinely experiences,” Brown said. “The new bridges will have wider shoulders, meeting all modern design requirements, and will provide an increased vertical clearance for the rail lines running underneath.”

Each bridge carries about 5,600 vehicles a day. Traffic will be shifted onto the westbound bridge while the eastbound bridge is demolished and rebuilt, then traffic will shift to the eastbound span to replace the westbound bridge. Brown said the arrangement will minimize the impact on the traveling public during construction.

Projects in the September 10 bid letting include:

US 340 and Augustine Avenue intersection improvements. (Jefferson County)
US 119 Morgantown lighting improvements. (Monongalia County)
District 4 high friction surface treatments, US 50, WV 92, WV 7, WV 26, and Boothsville Road. (Preston and Taylor counties)
University Avenue intersection improvements, Morgantown. (Monongalia County)
Mercer County Courthouse sidewalk. (Mercer County)
Turtle Creek T-Beam Bridge rehabilitation. (Kanawha County)
Wanda Bridge deck overlay. (Logan County)
Hacker’s Creek Bridge deck overlay and cleaning and painting. (Lewis County)
WV 112 paving, Bluefield to Ada. (Mercer County)
Statewide Roadway Weather Information Systems (RWIS) renovation. (Statewide)
WV 259 paving, Lehew to the Virginia state line. (Hampshire County)
Shinnston rail trail. (Harrison County)
Shelton Topping Bridge expansion joint replacement. (Lincoln County)
Washington Street West streetscape, Charleston. (Kanawha)
District 4 guardrail replacement. (Preston and Taylor counties)
Meadow Lane traffic signal, US 11 and Meadow Lane. (Berkeley County)
Bergoo Road Arch Bridge replacement. (Webster County)
WV 129, Summersville Lake Road paving. (Nicholas County)
District q guardrails. (Boone, Clay, Kanawha, and Mason counties)
US Army PFC Wille Paul Wilson Memorial Bridge rehabilitation. (Lincoln County)
Coaldale Culvert Slab repairs. (Mercer County)
Leading Creek W-Beam Bridge deck overlay. (Gilmer County)
Milburn Bridge replacement. (Fayette County)
Tunnel Bridge replacement. (Greenbrier County)
WV 83 paving, Bradshaw to Atwell. (McDowell County)
Meadow Creek piling wall. (Summers County)
District 10 guardrail replacement. (McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties)
US 220 paving, Peers Run Road to Poor Farm. (Pendleton County)
Mt. Farm Bridge rehabilitation. (Randolph County)
Keene Memorial Bridge cleaning and painting. (Greenbrier County)
Butchersville Arch Bridge, McCann Run Arch Bridge, Churchville Arch Bridge, Skin Creek Arch Bridge, and Polk Creek Concrete Arch Bridge concrete repairs and cleaning. (Lewis 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 accepts bids for I-64 bridge project

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