That rough ride for those that have utilized West Virginia Route 279 – more commonly known as Jerry Dove Drive – will soon be a thing of the past. According to West Virginia Division of Highways District 4 Construction Engineer Jason Nelson, a multi-million project will begin in the next few months to address the roadway.

 

Nelson said that Bridgeport contractor Bear Contracting will handle the near $2.2 million project. A total of three contractors bid on the work and Nelson said the bidding was competitive.

 

“That’s a good contract, primarily because it’s largely a paving project and you’re very close to an asphalt plant (located on State Route 131),” said Nelson. “This isn’t a typical paving job. It’s a substantial project because you’re not just dealing with a four-lane road and the standard overlay paving job. There are other conditions that this project will address.”

 

Nelson said the section of Route 279 that will be worked on - from the intersection of U.S. Route 50 to an area just shy of that road’s intersection with Interstate 79 (basically the majority of the road) – has areas that are failing. He said since the road’s opening, truck traffic and perhaps other natural issues has created problems that has led to the project needing to be done.

 

“You now have some base failures. The road also has some wet spots under it and starting to fail under the loads the road sees and those spots have to be dug up and fixed,” said Nelson. “There are drainage issues that will likely have to be erased. It could be a spring or a spot that has settled over the years that’s the likely reasons for the problems. The contractor will have to determine whether it is water related or settlement related.”

 

It’s the potential digging up of areas that could reveal unknown issues that resulted in one change in the project. Initially, the project was to be completed by July 31. The new completion date is Oct. 14 of this year.

 

“The contractors pointed out when reviewing the project that the base failures could be extensive enough that the July time frame would potentially be too short,” said Nelson. “Those base failures have provided many individuals a bumpy ride. This will fix that.”

 

United Hospital President and CEO Bruce Carter is among those that have experienced that bumpy ride. And he’s pleased to hear the news.

 

“I was traveling just recently toward Route 50 and Maplewood and couldn’t believe the condition of the road. Certainly, a lot of individuals from Bridgeport and from other areas access our hospital from this roadway so it’s definitely a benefit to those coming here or for any of the businesses along the road,” said Carter.

 

As for the starting time, Nelson said he’s fairly certain it will be after March. He said contractors will meet with DOH officials of several road projects at a pre-construction conference and then work can commence.

 

“Realistically, I think you’re looking at an April or May starting time,” said Nelson.

 

Once work starts, Nelson said there will be some traffic pattern changes. He said with the paving and, in particular, the digging of the settled areas that it will necessitate lane closures on 279. He said those closures will be announced for anyone utilizing the road that may want to avoid it on those days.