Tag: West Virginia Department of Transportation

Kanawha County Asks State for Repairs to Interstate Lighting

 The Kanawha County Commission is asking the West Virginia Department of Transportation to fix non-working lights along interstates.

Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper announced Tuesday that at least 135 lights are out on several stretches of state-maintained roads. Carper says he sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox citing safety concerns and asking about the status of plans to fix the lights.

DOT spokeswoman Carrie Jones says some of the lights, like the ones in between South Charleston and the West Virginia Turnpike, are more than 40 years old and aren’t repairable. She says $12 million in renovations projects are planned for lighting along the Charleston interstate system over the next few years.

$57.8M Low Bid Received for Road to Ex-Coal Site

West Virginia transportation officials say they’ve received a low bid of $57.8 million for building a nearly three-mile, four-lane road to connect two highways to a planned development at a reclaimed coal mine in southern West Virginia.

The Department of Transportation says all bids will be reviewed and the contract awarded in the next several days.

The apparent low bidder is Bizzack Construction LLC, of Lexington, Kentucky.

Last week, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced the West Virginia National Guard will increase training, expand vehicle and tire maintenance programs on property and launch an agriculture project adjacent to the 12,000-acre site.

The former Hobet surface mine site in Boone and Lincoln counties has been renamed Rock Creek Development Park.

Tomblin highlighted the project at in his January State-of-the-State speech.

Wheeling Island Bridge Closed Amid Safety Concerns

The West Virginia Division of Highways has closed a bridge that connects Wheeling Island with Bridgeport, Ohio amid concerns over its deterioration.The…

The West Virginia Division of Highways has closed a bridge that connects Wheeling Island with Bridgeport, Ohio amid concerns over its deterioration.

The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register reports workers constructed a fence at the Aetnaville Bridge on Wednesday, preventing pedestrians and cyclists from entering. The bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic since 1988.

West Virginia Department of Transportation Communications Director Brent Walker says a fence will also be put up the bridge’s Ohio side.

Some residents say they believe conditions are far less safe for pedestrians and bicyclists now that the bridge is no longer an option for them. Many will have to use alternative routes, which include dealing with traffic and intersections.

Walker says the bridge was closed for safety reasons. He says there’s been no final decision on its future.

West Virginia Highways Officials to Hold Project Meetings

West Virginia highways officials are planning 11 informational meetings around the state to seek input about potential future projects.The Department of…

  West Virginia highways officials are planning 11 informational meetings around the state to seek input about potential future projects.

The Department of Transportation is developing a list of expansion, resurfacing and other transit projects for fiscal years 2016 through 2021. The list will be available for discussion.

The first meeting is set for Tuesday at Elkins Middle School. Another will be held next Thursday at Lewis County High School in Weston.

Comments will be accepted during the meeting, and written comments can be sent to the Division of Highways by Nov. 17.

Ex-DOH Director Dies After Indictment on Federal Racketeering Charges

A former director of the West Virginia Division of Highway’s equipment division has died after being indicted on federal racketeering charges.U.S.…

A former director of the West Virginia Division of Highway’s equipment division has died after being indicted on federal racketeering charges.

U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld announced Tuesday, Aug. 1, that Robert Glen Andrew II, of Bridgeport, was charged with 29 counts relating to what the government calls the creation of a “culture of corruption” within the Division of Highways.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department has yet to confirm Andrew’s death, but media reports indicate that Andrew was found dead outside Bridgeport overnight.

Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox issued a statement today regarding Andrew’s death:

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of our former Equipment Division Director, Bob Andrew.  I know I speak for the entire Division of Highways staff when I say our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Andrew family.”

The federal indictment says Andrew used state resources, including workers and equipment, to engage in political activity on state time. The government also accuses Andrew of bid-rigging by creating non-competitive bid specifications that favor particular vendors.

Prosecutors say a large commercial mowing company also was named in the indictment.

W.Va. Transportation Department Buys Second Drone

West Virginia's Department of Transportation has purchased its second drone.The Charleston Gazette reports that the $3,500 drone will be used to help…

West Virginia’s Department of Transportation has purchased its second drone.

The Charleston Gazette reports that the $3,500 drone will be used to help provide views of hard-to-reach or inaccessible areas. Department spokeswoman Carrie Bly says it will be used for situations like rockslides and to assess flooding damage.

  The drone also will allow the department to take aerial images of land being discussed in public hearings, as well as provide an alternative to using Google Maps when looking at certain areas.

The department’s first drone was purchased by its Public Port Authority.

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