For those wondering about the project taking place along State Route 279 – Jerry Dove Drive – on the backside of the airport, it’s all part of staging area for the heavily talked about Mountain Valley Pipeline Project.

 

The project, which has had many proponents and opponents, is a 303-mile buried natural gas pipeline initiative estimated to cost more than $3 billion. It will cut across West Virginia and Virginia. According to the Mountain Valley Pipeline Web site, the project will see work in Harrison, Doddridge, Wetzel, Lewis, Braxton, Webster, Nicholas, Greenbrier, Fayette, Summers and Monroe counties.

 

In Bridgeport, Precision Pipeline is handling operations. Community Development Director Andrea Kerr said the company did not need to acquire a building permit because they are leasing the property. However, a permit was acquired.

 

“Precision Pipeline did need a permit pulled to handle the electric, which will be utilized at their work trailer,” said Kerr. “The permit says the cost to bring the electric in is for $11,000 and will be done by Crites Electric.”

 

Joe Davidson, who Kerr said is a Land Man with Precision Pipeline, said the project is for a warehouse and an office. He said pipe won’t be stored at the location, but is indeed a staging area where all trucks on the project will maneuver in and out of and are brought back until they are put back in service.

 

“This is for ‘Spread B’ of the project. There are nine sections to the MVP project and this is the second part of the project,” said Davidson.

 

Traffic along Route 279 is notified by warning signs of trucks entering the highway. There is also a police presence near the entrance of the staging area. Kerr said residents should use extra caution – as the signs dictate – when traveling in that area.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows a vehicle inside the airport area, while a police car is shown sitting on the media below just prior to the entrance.