Barring a problem with the low bid that was received, an area bridge that has been closed will soon be replaced as part of a nearly $6 million project by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

 

Recently, the WVDOH announced that they were reviewing bids for 13 projects, including several that were for bridges in West Virginia. Among those projects was the Hutchinson Truss Bridge in Marion County that will be replaced.

 

According to WVDOH District Four Construction Engineer Jason Nelson, the apparent low bid for the bridge replacement is $5,987,713.11. The total, he added, is just a little over the engineer’s estimate.

 

Nelson said the bridge in question has been closed for several years. He was not sure how long, but the closing, as noted above, has been for multiple years.

 

The new bridge structure will cross the West Fork River from the community of Hutchinson (just south of Worthington) to US Route 19 to replace the old one. It should be noted that the new structure will be built downstream of the existing one and will carry Marion County Route 90/3.

 

“The actual work for the project should begin sometime mid-summer this year and is planned to be completed by October of 2026,” said Nelson.

 

Kokosing Construction Co. of Fredericktown, Ohio, was the apparent low bidder when bids were let on Tuesday, April 9. Nelson said the official award could come as early as today or within the next few weeks depending on the meeting being held to officially award bids after they are reviewed.