Despite a pair of grant denials by the federal government in the past two years, the city of Wheeling streetscape project is expected to begin finally at this time next year following an upcoming announcement by Gov. Jim Justice, according to City Manager Bob Herron.
The project partnership between the West Virginia Department of Transportation and the City of Wheeling was initiated in 2015 by former mayor Andy McKenzie and former Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. At first, the projected cost to pave, upgrade ADA access ramps, fix sidewalks and curbs, and possibly replace the trees along Main, Market, Chapline, and part of Eoff streets was under $10 million. The existence of basement vaults under sidewalks and new signals have increased the price tag to more than $20 million.
“What I can say about the streetscape project is that planning for it is in a very positive mode right now, and there is a significant amount of work taking place behind the scenes,” Herron said. “But what the governor and the mayor want to say about the funding for it will be coming out in the next few weeks. I do think it will be very positive news.
Construction
“I’m excited about the project because of the impact it will have on our downtown, and I think we’ll be in a position to really do it right and finally fix the infrastructure in downtown Wheeling for the next 50 years,” the city manager said. “A part of all this is a new storm sewer in the downtown that will double the amount that can be handled along Main and Market streets.”
For the past few years, Main Street has been lined with construction zones as both the city and the private sector have preformed improvement projects to downtown and the underground infrastructure, including power, gas lines, and fiber optics, and storm sewer replacement, and repairs to ruptured water lines.
More of the same should be expected, too, before the roadways actually are paved, and that includes the lining of a brick-arched storm sewer beneath Market Street, a project projected to cost $1 million.
“As a part of the streetscape project, we’ll also be doing a sewer separation on Market Street similar to what the city had done on Main Street last year,” Herron explained. “Both of these projects also will be able to handle additional water if and when we have more development take place in the downtown area. There have been a lot of lots cleared over the past several years, and those leave room for more development in the future.
“And the streetscape project also will improve turning radiuses at 16th and Market streets,” he continued. “We also are able to improve our catch basins through the downtown area and that will make a big difference, too.”
Even More Work
But wait, there’s even more to accomplish under those bumpy streets before a smooth ride can be realized.
“Our goal right now, and I believe this to be realistic, is that (the streetscape) should get started at this time next year, and once everything is scheduled, it will be released quickly to the public,” Herron said. “But the city is looking right now at replacing the water main along Main Street before the project gets started. That would be from Ninth Street to 16th Street, and that would involve a 20-inch main.
“We are also looking at the same projects for the 30-inch water mains along Chapline and Eoff streets and the 20-inch main along Market Street. Those projects would be at an additional cost not included in the partnership between the state and the city of Wheeling, so that’s another several million dollars that’s going to be invested into downtown and that take care of the infrastructure for the next 50 years.”
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