Motorists who have traveled Bridgeport’s Main Street in recent weeks share a common dilemma: Bumper to bumper traffic, a situation which has resulted from a trio of area projects.

 

On April 2, the City of Bridgeport launched a major water line upgrade project, encompassing an area of Main Street between Center Street and the Route 131 intersection. That work, which has been contracted out to Pro Contracting of Clarksburg, is being performed during nighttime hours. From approximately 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., crews are working with one lane of traffic open.

 

A number of complaints have been addressed to the city. Though that project has contributed to congested Main Street traffic, City Engineer Beth Fox said there are a couple of other variables contributing to the delays.

 

Included is a repair project on Interstate 79. She explained.

 

“The WVDOH has set up lengthy lane closures on I-79, both northbound and southbound, for bridge deck repairs,” Fox said. “Interstate users are attempting to avoid delays by using downtown Bridgeport as a bypass from all directions – Rt. 131, Rt. 24, Rt. 50, and Rt. 58.”

 

In addition, CSX is performing rail work during afternoon hours.

 

“While efforts are being made to not impede traffic, there have been instances where the trains have come to complete halts at our Main Street and Virginia Avenue crossings,” Fox said. “These have occurred during lunch hour traffic and throughout the later afternoon hours.”

 

Unfortunately, the city is not in the position to dictate operations of either the WVDOH or CSX Railroad, Fox said.

 

“So we are putting forth our best effort to not compound the delays already being imposed,” she said. 

 

In addition to the water line upgrade work, a city sewer line upgrade project is also forthcoming. That upgrade work is being performed in an area including Third Street, Gordon Street, Bartlett Avenue and a portion of Main Street. With regard to both water line and sewer line upgrade work, the city’s public works department is monitoring traffic each evening to determine start time of lane closures, Fox said.

 

“Best judgment is used, based on noticeable declines in the traffic volume,” she said. “In the event of daytime work on Main Street, two-way traffic will be maintained, with no delays anticipated.” 

 

As always, the city encourages local traffic to utilize city side streets to avoid traffic delays.  Pro Contracting is working diligently to get the project completed ahead of schedule to reduce the impact on the community, Fox said.

 

Read more about the CSX Railroad maintenance work HERE.