CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) –With summer travel season now underway, the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) today hosted a stakeholder meeting to provide a status update on the Interstate 64 Fort Hill Truss Bridge (also known as the Eugene A. Carter Memorial Bridge) Rehabilitation Project.
Representatives from the WVDOT and various local agencies were joined by first responders, school system administrators, and business community members to discuss the upcoming bridge project. The I-64 Fort Hill Truss Bridge Rehabilitation Project is a deck replacement project that will extend the life and safety of this iconic structure.
Seeing Orange (Barrels)? Think Progress.
“Just as regular maintenance is needed to keep cars and homes in good working condition, routine repairs are needed to extend the life of our infrastructure,” said West Virginia Transportation Secretary Stephen T. Rumbaugh, P.E. “We recognize that many drivers often associate the summer travel season with orange barrels.
“We want the public to know that those orange barrels mean progress,” Rumbaugh said. “Our improvement work is essential to maintaining safe and dependable roadways for the traveling public.”
Secretary Rumbaugh added that all construction activity has been carefully planned and coordinated. “Our experienced team of engineers and contractors are working hard to minimize traffic impacts to the public,” he said. “Our project start and completion times are carefully phased and coordinated. Today’s stakeholder meeting is part of that coordination effort.”
This is a once-in-a-generation project. Every scenario to reduce or shorten impacts to the traveling public, enhance safety, mobility, and reduce delays was considered, and incorporated into the contract documents.
Public outreach was unprecedented.
Construction will begin later this year; public encouraged to expect delays and use online resources to plan your drive.
Bids for the I-64 Fort Hill Truss Bridge Rehabilitation Project will be opened on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, with construction scheduled to begin this fall. The project will include the following improvements:
- Replacement of the bridge deck and barrier walls on the steel structure and the four ramps that provide access to the bridge.
- Repairs to the structural steel on the bridge’s arch
- Repair and repainting of the concrete piers
Lane and ramp closures will be needed for this project. Detours will be posted, but drivers should expect delays moving into and through the project area.
The project website, available at https://www.i64forthillbridge.com/, offers access to up-to-date details about the project and the anticipated construction schedule. The Fort Hill Bridge website will be updated regularly as work progresses, providing a transparent and accessible source of information throughout the life of the project.
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow posted work zone guidance, and allow additional travel time when passing through active construction areas.
Real-time traffic conditions and travel updates are available through the state’s WV 511 site at wv511.org or via the WV511 Drive Safe mobile app.
More information is available at https://www.i64forthillbridge.com/
