CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Highly anticipated construction is set to begin Monday night on the most heavily traveled bridge in the state.
The Eugene A. Carter Bridge, which carries I-64 traffic over the Kanawha River in Charleston, will experience lane closures throughout October as Triton Construction begins repairing concrete, installing a water-resistant impermeable membrane, and adding a two-inch layer of asphalt.
This follows the development of several potholes on the bridge during the spring and summer, which prompted the West Virginia Division of Highways to conduct emergency repairs that caused significant traffic delays.
“DOH spokesperson Brent Walker said they hope the new membrane and asphalt layer will help extend the life of the bridge deck before a full redecking project is necessary.
“All of that put together is going to allow us to extend the life of that bridge deck through the winter and hope we don’t have the backups and the closures that we saw in the spring and summer,” Walker recently said on MetroNews Midday.
He indicated that a full redeck could occur in 2028, though they hope it might happen sooner.
Motorists can expect lane closures Monday through Friday from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Beginning Monday, the left two eastbound lanes will be closed. Then, from Tuesday through Sunday, the left two lanes in both eastbound and westbound directions will be closed. Additionally, on weekends, the left lane in both directions will be closed from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Walker noted that on- and off-ramp closures may also be necessary.
He said they will keep everyone informed as information becomes available.
“As that schedule becomes available, as we hit some milestone type issues we are going to put information out,” Walker said.
He said they are excited to get this done.
“Our bridge engineers had fast tracked this overlay project because of those potholes that we patched throughout the spring and the summer, we’re excited, it’s time,” Walker said
He urges all motorists to exercise caution while traveling through the work zone during this time.
“Heads up, phone down, slow down, pay attention, get through it and get on about your day,” Walker said.
They hope to complete the project by the end of November.