Downtown Wheeling’s ‘Big Dig’ Getting Worse Before Better

It’s become an evil word – streetscape – with many who frequently travel through downtown Wheeling or to those who own businesses along Main and Market streets, but paving is expected to take place this summer and mid-2025 is the target time for completion.

But not before it gets worse, of course, according to Wheeling City Manager Bob Herron.

“The only way to describe our downtown right now is that it’s pretty torn up. There’s a lot of construction taking place right now,” he said. “And there are going to be some traffic interruptions at the end of the week, too, when the DOH closes 10^th Street on Friday. And there’s going to be a lot of intense over the next six weeks.

“There’s a lot of things that still need completed so the paving can begin on Main Street, and we’re hoping that happens by the end of June or early July,” Herron continued. “And the landscaping engineer is moving along nicely and when certain areas of Main are finished, the grinding and the paving will take place and we’re all looking forward to that.”

The $32 million, state-funded project initially was proposed and adopted in 2015 by then-mayor Andy McKenzie and former W.Va. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, but the scope and design have morphed many times since. The original cost estimate was below $10 million when including only paving, new curbs and access ramps, and new sidewalks, but the cost doubled after the issue of underground vaults was discovered in 2017.

Design changes, new signalization, the inclusion of the three cross streets between 10th and 16th streets, and an extensive storm sewer separation project also increased the cost estimate to where it is today. Triton Construction was awarded the bid in August 2022, and the company started work in late September of that year. At first, the “done date” was November 2024, but that deadline was extended earlier this year.

“I know when we talk about the construction in downtown, we mostly refer to it as the ‘streetscape,’ but there are actually two projects that are taking place,” Herron explained. “The streetscape has a lot of different parts to it and all of that is taking place now along Main Street and it’s started on the south end of Market, too. But the storm sewer project is what’s been happening all along Market Street for a year or so.

“The separation took place along Main Street several years ago before The Health Plan constructed their new headquarters in the downtown,” he said. “But once it’s complete along Market Street, the downtown will be able to handle any new construction that takes place for years to come.”  

City officials expect heavy traffic in the downtown area this weekend with several events scheduled for Wheeling’s riverfront area. Not only will the Wheeling Miners indoor football team play their second home game at Wesbanco Arena this Saturday evening, but the “Believe Dance Competition” will take place at the Capitol Theatre and Waterfront Hall will host live music, a one-mile race, and a Kentucky Derby Watch Party.

The city manager wishes to remind motorists to pay attention while navigating the downtown area.

“There are a lot of construction workers, barrels, and detours in downtown right now with the streetscape and with the construction of the new parking garage,” Herron said. “Plus, we have a projects taking place inside the Stone Center, on the Newbridge property on the corner of 10^th and Main, and there’s the ongoing work at the Bridge Tavern, too. That’s why I hope people are being extra careful when they are traveling on Main and Market.

“When it’s all finished, it’s going to be great and the downtown will have a completely new look that’s going to be very attractive for our current businesses, and for the ones in the future,” he said. “I know it’s frustrating for everyone, and it is difficult on some days to get around those streets, but the storm sewer separation and the streetscape both were long overdue. I believe all of the frustration will be worth it when it’s all finished, and traffic gets back to normal.”