(Publisher’s Note: This article initially published in September 2020, but the Fort Henry Bridge remains two-toned while the construction work has continued beneath the superstructure and into the state of Ohio. Although the headline poses an interesting question, the answer has been determined, so we thought even more readers would want to know.)
Now that half of the superstructure for the Fort Henry Bridge has been painted royal blue, there has been some speculation in the Wheeling area that the other half of the span will be painted gold to represent the colors of the West Virginia Mountaineers.
That, however, is not true, according to Tony Clark, district engineer for the Division of Highways District 6.
“From my understanding, the color of the bridge is blue because it was at the request by the city,” Clark said. “I’m not sure that it could be two-tone because that’s not standard practice around the state. I’m sure it could be done, but there would be a significant cost increase because it’s practical to paint the bridge all one color.
“Initially, the plan was to paint it the same grey color,” he said. “We were able to negotiate with the contractor to get it painted blue at no additional cost, but if it was to be two-tone, it would have been at a greater cost.”
Roads to Prosperity
The fresh paint and the renovation being conducted to the Fort Henry Bridge are part of the “Roads to Prosperity” program initiated by W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice and approved by voters. The $214 million project in Ohio County includes the replacements and repairs to 26 spans along Interstate 70, and the work is being performed by crews with Swank Construction out of Bridgeville, Pa.
Projects also are taking place throughout the state of West Virginia and are being funded by increases to DMV fees and the doubling of tolls along the state’s turnpike that runs through the most southern counties in the state.
“In some areas of this project the bridges are getting an overlay of pavement, but in other areas the bridges are getting brand new decking,” Clark explained. “The Fort Henry Bridge is getting some minor steel repairs performed; of course it is getting painted, and that bridge is getting an overlay of pavement, too. The eastbound side of the bridge will be painted when the work on that side is under way.
“Because it is a truss bridge, it has received more attention over the years, but some of the other bridges along that stretch of Interstate 70 did not, and that is why those spans need more repairs than some of the others,” he said. “Truss bridges are not known to have more issues than other designs, but it does have more physical pieces to it, and that means there’s always more to inspect when a bridge like the Fort Henry is being looked at.”
A Jigsaw Puzzle?
Boaters on the Ohio River in Wheeling can see many markings on the piers of the Fort Henry Bridge while traveling under the span, but Clark explained that no one should be alarmed.
“When the inspectors look at our bridges, they note any issues with the concrete piers, so those markings indicate something that they have seen and that they want to follow,” Clark said. “They will mark something even if it is a minor issue like a crack or loose concrete.
“We are continually inspecting the bridges, so when they go back, those markings will allow them to check the area again to see if the problem is getting worse,” he said. “That way, we can evaluate if those marked areas need worked on now,
or if everything is going to be OK for a while. But people who do see those markings should know that the Fort Henry Bridge is a solid structure that will be there for many more years.”
Forthcoming Deadline
According to the schedule released more than a year ago, the westbound spans should be nearing completion prior to the beginning of Oglebay’s Festival of Lights. The event is a driving tour and is expected to continue for yet another year.
The Festival of Lights is scheduled to begin on Nov. 5 and continue to early January. The DOH schedule indicates the westbound Fulton bridges, a series of three spans near Wheeling Tunnel that are getting completely replaced, will be finished in time.
“I believe Swank and the other contractors are going to meet the deadline for the westbound side of Interstate 70, and that’s because those workers are moving right along,” Clark said. “They are working really hard, and that’s why I am confident that we will make it.
“When summer is over, we should be about halfway complete, and so far it has continued without too many issues,” he added. “The pandemic caused a brief interruption, sure, but when the Swank employees returned, they picked up where they left off, and they are still on schedule for the westbound bridges to be open in a couple of months. Then, after the new year, they will get started on the eastbound side.”
