The West Virginia Division of Highways had completed plans for paving and replacing ADA compliant ramps in downtown, but former Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin upgraded the project following a conversation with then-Mayor Andy McKenzie.
The scope at that time, according to District 6 Engineer Tony Clark, was simplistic compared to the two-year streetscape that is expected to begin next year and was to cost no more than $10 million.
“The DOH had a design ready to go for the same footprint that is now involved with the streetscape, but it was a much smaller scope than what we will be handling next year,” Clark explained. “It is a far more complex project now because of what has been added with the sidewalks, the signals, and some other things that were not included the first time around.
“The design work has been performed mostly by consultants, but our design staff here in District 6 has been involved from Day One, as well,” he said. “Our inspectors will be involved, and we will be monitoring the work much the same way we have the Interstate 70 projects.”
Underground First, Surface Second
While the $25 million streetscape in downtown Wheeling involves everything from the new traffic signals to bump-outs for pedestrians at intersections, traveling the streets of downtown has been a rough ride for many years.
Motorists travel over harsh sections where underground infrastructure has been repaired or replaced, and orange barrels and potholes have become familiar sights.
“As a part of this project, there will be some utility work that we will need to do, too, but the city has done the wise thing by getting a lot of the work necessary beneath the surface done before the new pavement goes down on all of those streets,” Clark said. “I know (Mountaineer Gas) had done some work, and I know the city has been taking care of the sewer and water lines in several areas.
“It is definitely in the best interest of everyone involved to get as much sub-surface work completed in those areas because there’s nothing I hate more than putting new pavement down and then having to go cut it up,” he said. “I know it’s inevitable because those lines break and crack, but I am hoping we at least get a couple of years in before we’ll need to do that.”
Smooth Rider
The one piece of the entire streetscape puzzle anticipated the most is the paving.
That is because, according to Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce President Erikka Storch, there are more people employed now in downtown Wheeling than ever before.
“The paving of the street is really the simple part of the whole contract,” Clark explained. “The existing asphalt will be milled up, and then those streets will be paved with two inches of new asphalt up to the level where it is now. We can’t go higher than that because of the ramps and sidewalks.
“The actual pavement will be what is referred to as a wearing course pavement that is a tighter asphalt that allows for a smoother ride,” he explained. “There is enough base material on the roads in downtown Wheeling, so we don’t have to put in a beefier asphalt. We’re just going to clean up what is there and then put the new asphalt down so the trip though will be a much smoother ride than what is in place now.”
But Which Ones?
Portions of Chapline and Eoff streets are included as are all of 16th, Main, and Market streets, but roadways not connected to W.Va. Route 2 will fall on the city.
“All of the roads that are associated with W.Va. Route 2 will be involved with this streetscape project, and that includes some of the cross streets but not all of them,” Clark explained. “That is why sections of Eoff and Chapline streets will be involved, but only the areas that have that connection with the highway. In the downtown, 16th Street takes the highway traffic to Main and Market and that’s because of W.Va. Route 2.
“So those roads will be included, but 14th Street and 12th Street are the city’s, and I know 10th Street will be involved because that is also connected to U.S. 40,” he said. “The ramps to the highway are not included because they were recently improved, but all the way up to those ramps for W.Va. Route 2 will be paved, too.”
