10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Highway lights to be installed by helicopter

WHEELING, W.Va. — Motorists traveling Interstate 70 in Ohio County Wednesday will encounter a rather unusual traffic interruption.  Contractors will install new light poles along the highway, but instead of a crane handling the operation a helicopter will be “picking” the poles and setting them in place.

“The light poles have been placed along the foundation,” said Department of Highways Spokesman Gus Suwaid. “It’s just going to be a matter of picking up the pole and bolting it into the foundation.”

The idea has never been tried before.  The contractor came up with the idea to try an improve efficiency, reduce disruption to the I-70 traffic, and save time and money.

“The biggest winner is the public and user of this route because we won’t have to engage in cumbersome lane restrictions, cranes swinging around, and traffic interruptions,” said Suwaid. “It will be one day of inconvenience and we’re done with it if everything goes well.”

The plan calls for interstate traffic to be blocked by State Police for 15 minute intervals. Crews will go through the assembly line system of picking, placing, and bolting.  They’ll get as many in place as possible in the 15 minute time frame, then traffic will be released.  Once traffic congestion has cleared, the process will resume for another 15 minute window.

There are 41 light poles, 100 feet in length, to be placed on both sides of the highway and in the median from exit 5 to exit 11. The lights will be LED lamps. The Cabela’s exit is about the midway point of the job according to Suwaid.   The work will be done from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid rush hour traffic.  The cost of operating a helicopter, while not cheap, is substantially less for six hours or work than the cost of operating a crane for several weeks.

“Instead of doing what may take weeks of lane restrictions and using a crane I think this will make it much quicker and if done correctly much safer.”  Suwaid said.





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