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WV Transportation

WV Transportation

WV Transportation

WV Department of Transportation

Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge Replacement


Public Informational Workshop 

When: Monday October 17, 2011
Where: Bluefield City Hall (City Board Room) [Directions]
Why: To Get Your Comments on the Project [Meeting Handout]

About the Project

The Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge Replacement Project consists of replacing the existing bridge that crosses over Norfolk Southern Railway tracks. The bridge is owned by the City of Bluefield and the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH), by way of agreement, inspects the bridge. The WVDOH has established an agreement to use federal bridge replacement funds to replace the bridge.

The existing bridge was built in 1966 by an unknown contractor. The structure consists of three spans of simple steel W-Beams (SSWB) supported by a full height stone masonry abutment, an open reinforced concrete column pier, a solid reinforced concrete pier, and full height reinforced concrete abutment. The overall length of the bridge is 172’11”.

The southern approach side of the bridge is located approximately 200 feet north of the signalized intersection of Mercer Street and US 19. The northern approach side of the bridge is located at the intersection of Mercer Street with Pulaski Street, and Roanoke Street.


The purpose of the project is to build a new bridge providing the most suitable and economically feasible alignment, while providing proper railroad clearances.


Five Alternatives and a No-Build were Evaluated:

Alternative #1- Consists of placing a new bridge at its current location, with a new three-span bridge estimated to be 175 feet in length and 28’ clear width.
Total estimated cost: $6,461,000. 

Alternative #2- Consists of placing a new bridge at its current location, with a new single-span bridge estimated to be 147 feet in length and 28 foot clear width.
Alternative #2 is the preferred alternative. Total estimated cost: $6,180,800. 
 
Alternative #3- Consists of placing a new bridge on a skewed alignment east of its current location, with a steeper vertical grade than the existing bridge.
Total estimated cost: $8,862,000. 

Alternative #4- Consists of placing a new bridge in its current location using staged construction, while maintaining a structure for vehicles. Alternative #4 will provide a new single-span bridge estimated to be 147 feet in length, 30 foot clear width.
Total estimated cost: $7,163,300. 
 
Alternative #5- Consists of renovating the existing bridge which will maintain the existing typical section and the bridge will remain functionally obsolete.
Total estimated cost: $6,240,800. 

The last alternative is a no build. However, due to the deteriorating condition of the bridge, will eventually result in the permanent closure of the bridge to traffic.
The Comment Period ended on November 17, 2011.

Any additional questions or comments can be sent to Sondra Mullins (Sondra.L.Mullins@wv.gov) or Traci Cummings (Traci.L.Cummings@wv.gov).

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