CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The new bridge to be built across the Elk River in Kanawha County in hopes of keeping the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing open will cost more than originally thought.
State Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox said there will be extra cost because of an environmental concern.
“There’s some sort of rare minnow that’s endangered that is only found in that section of the Elk River,” Mattox recently told MetroNews. “We have agreed to completely span the Elk River in that location.”
So not having piers will cost the DOH additional money to avoid the Diamond Darter.
“That single span is going to cost us some more money but we want to be good environmental stewards,” said Mattox.
The bridge is being built to service Coonskin Park. The entrance to the park is currently gained by passing through the home of the National Guard. The 2005 BRAC Commission determined that was a security issue. Another BRAC report in coming in a few years.
The state, National Guard and Kanawha County have been working on the bridge project for months. The groups finalized funding in late August. The projected cost is $9.4 million.
Secretary Mattox said he hopes to have the bridge contract awarded by the end of the year.
“I’m anxious to see what kind of bridge types we get to evaluate that will be capable of spanning that wide of river,” said Mattox.
Because a single-span is more difficult to construct than a bridge with piers, Mattox said the winning contractor will get more time to complete the project.
“I believe we’re going to give the contractor about 18 months to get that bridge constructed once we get the project awarded,” he said.
Once the bridge opens Coonskin Drive will be closed and all traffic into the park will travel over the new span.