Residents of the Wheeling area have been aware for more than two years of the construction work necessary along Interstate 70 in Ohio County, but only during the last three months have local motorists seen what it looks like.
Barrels, ad nauseum signage, selfish speeding, and dangerous entrance ramps in Elm Grove and Wheeling Island, and it’s only the beginning, according to Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard. In fact, the sheriff revealed that the process is already 90 days tardy.
“But, from what I understand, there are incentives for getting finished early or on time, and there are penalties for extensions, and from what I have seen so far, the folks (with Swank Construction) are gunning for the bonuses in the contract,” the sheriff said. “They got started very quickly, and they haven’t stopped under the three bridges that are coming down. The concrete is first, then the steel, and then the piers, and we’ve seen that they are already pouring the concrete for the next ones.
“It’s scheduled for nine months, and that’s a lot of work to do in nine months,” Howard said. “I hope they’re successful just like so many people in this county are because if it’s not completed and opened, there’s going to be a negative impact on a lot of people.”
That Reflective Glare
It has become more than just the mandated exit from the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 at Exit 2A near Kroger because now there is one-lane traffic eastbound in Ohio County, and a total closure of the freeway will take place between 11 p.m.-5 a.m. for a few days next week.
It’s a day-to-day situation, Howard said, and he’s well aware older drivers do not enjoy the sea of reflective devices used for lane restrictions.
“Even we are caught by surprise with some of the things the construction company has done, and that’s because they are moving along at a quicker pace because we’ve had a very mild winter so far,” Howard acknowledged. “But the people with the (Swank) construction company are finding more things that are wrong, but that’s pretty common when it comes to projects like this. There so much all at once, so that’s a part of it, too.
“As soon as the sheriff’s office is notified of something, we get it out there on social media, and we communicated with all of the other media outlets,” Howard said. “And we’re constantly working with the Division of Highways on the signage, and on the way the construction company has set up the turnoffs for the detours. Those things have been issues to this point.”
Detour Blues?
The only times deputies with the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office have witnessed significant traffic congestion along the primary detour at Exit 2A are when local residents are traveling to work in the mornings and when those same folks are commuting home
Thankfully to this point, Howard explained, no local motorists have yet to be involved in an accident during those times along the detour on National Road.
“I’m not going to lie. That’s a big concern of mine because it only takes not paying attention for a short time to cause a really big problem,” he insisted. “For most of that detour, it’s one lane east and one lane west, and if there’s a wreck? We know it’s going to happen, and we know it’s only a matter of time, but at least we’ve not had to deal with it yet.
“I know the officers of the Wheeling PD are working really hard on this stuff, too, so hopefully that presence in those areas is making a difference,” Howard said. “What I think we all have to remember is that this is only the beginning of a very long process. Hopefully, this part is the worst, and the other bridge projects won’t be as bad, but the county residents might as well get used to it.”
Much More to Come
The demolition and replacement of the six bridges nearest the east face of Wheeling Tunnel are two significant parts of this overall project, but that leaves 20 more re-deckings involved with ramps and spans located near the tubes, Wheeling Hospital, in Elm Grove, and near Middle Creek.
As the construction progresses, the sheriff reported, traffic patterns will change accordingly.
“The best thing I can tell you is that (Swank Construction) seems to be ready to go about everything as quickly as they can,” Howard said. “From previous experience, things always happen, but our folks are rooting for them because we want to get past this as soon as possible. They say three years, and we’re hoping that’s all it is.
“The most positive thing out of it all is that issues that we have been dealing with for a lot of years are finally getting fixed,” he said. “There’s nothing like getting a call that there’s a hole completely through a bridge along the interstate. When you hear that, you’re immediately happy that it was found before it collapsed completely.”
The areas of Interstate 70 Howard references are in Elm Grove and involve bridges that span U.S. 40 (National Road) and Big Wheeling Creek near Pizza Hut. The roadway holes were repaired by DOH personnel, and the bolted plywood utilized to secure new concrete has remained beneath the freeway for several years.
“I don’t think you could find a single person from this area or even in the state road department who will deny these projects should have taken place years ago,” the sheriff said. “I just hope we get through it without someone getting seriously hurt or killed.”
