Future Arrives for City, Region as Project Talked About for Years Under Way; First Phase Costs $15 Million
By Jeff Toquinto on October 20, 2021 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
There is a rather large project taking place right now in Bridgeport many may have no idea about. The project in question comes with a price tag exceeding $15 million as part of a project in the $50 million range.
It has been talked about seriously for the last several years. It has been talked about being needed for decades as the key to the future for one of the city’s and region’s economic drivers. The future, it is safe to say, has started.
Earlier this summer, Wolfe Excavating begin a substantial earth-moving project that will eventually result in roughly 100 acres of flat land that will house a new North Central West Virginia Airport terminal as well as be home to a new North Central West Virginia Airport Aerotech Park.
“They actually started around July 1 and did a lot of prep work through August by addressing underground infrastructure used for the 
runway, doing grubbing and cleaning and the trenches needed to facilitate water flow,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock. “By mid-September you started seeing trucks going. At the start of October, the blasting began and the preparation for the dirt you’re seeing moved now began.”
runway, doing grubbing and cleaning and the trenches needed to facilitate water flow,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock. “By mid-September you started seeing trucks going. At the start of October, the blasting began and the preparation for the dirt you’re seeing moved now began.”
It’s a substantial amount of dirt being moved. When it is over, Rock said 3.1 million cubic yards of dirt will be used to remove a mountain and fill in a large “bowl” to create the 100 acres of rough land, some of which will be used for the terminal, and the business park.
“It’s basically moving a mountain from one area and using it to fill in what we call the bowl,” said Rock. “It’s amazing to think so much work is taking place and most people can’t see it because everything right now, including moving the dirt, is inside the fence.
“The good news is that when it’s finished you will see something you don’t see often, and that’s 100 flat acres in West Virginia,” Rock continued. “That should lead to all kinds of investment on the aerospace and high technology front with the land available.”
As for the timeline, Rock said it should take – depending on the weather – about 10 months to move the dirt. He said the terminal building 
and the layout of the new business park could happen in the fourth quarter of 2023 or even the first part of 2024.
and the layout of the new business park could happen in the fourth quarter of 2023 or even the first part of 2024.
“Sometimes the greatest plans need altered, and we believe we have a great plan,” said Rock. “We’re moving quickly, but this isn’t being done at warp speed because we want it right the first time as opposed to going back and fixing things.
“You want to make sure your goals can be achieved on the correct financial timeline and make the finished product to where it’s functional, serving the people, and making the area proud as well,” Rock continued. “This is a facility we anticipate serving the region for the next 50 years.”
The initial earth-moving bid was $10.5 million in May of 2020. However, Rock said more than $3 million was added to meet wetlands mitigation requirements, as well as additional costs brought on through COVID-related change orders.
