CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Parkways Authority contractors will get busy replacing the decks on two sets of bridges along the West Virginia Turnpike beginning this Sunday.
They said the decks will be replaced on both the Skitter Creek bridges at milepost 62 and the Cabin Creek bridges at milepost 83 near the Cheylan toll plaza.
Parkways Executive Director Jeff Miller said people should use caution when traveling through these areas.
“These projects will disrupt the normal flow of traffic on the north end of Turnpike, and we urge patrons to plan for additional travel time when traveling,” said Miller.
The work is part of the Parkways Authority’s Accelerated Bridge Deck Replacement Program which is meant to expedite the process. Miller said instead of taking months, it replaces the bridges in a matter of days or weeks.
He said they also factor in the time of year they choose to conduct the replacement project.
“This work is very carefully planned, performed 24 hours a day during the duration of the project, and only done after the Labor Day weekend holiday so as not to disrupt heavy summer traffic,” Miller said.
Concrete deck panels are fabricated off-site to further speed up construction and minimize inconvenience to turnpike travelers.
During construction, traffic will be shifted between northbound and southbound bridges at different times, so Miller again urges drivers to remain alert and pay attention to work zone traffic signs.
In addition to new decks, both sets of bridges will get taller central barrier walls, and the Cabin Creek bridges will have special high friction pavement laid down.
Work on the Skitter Creek bridges is expected to be complete by Friday, October 18 and Cabin Creek is expected by Monday, October 28.
The Parkways Authority schedules several accelerated bridge deck projects every year.