Oct 13, 2015 3 min read

The state Department of Transportation is asking for the public’s input on whether to rehabilitate the aging Day Road Bridge near Majorsville, W.Va., or build a new span to accommodate the natural gas production plants in that area.

The single-lane truss bridge that spans Wheeling Creek between Greene and Washington counties was built in the early 1900s and has only a 3-ton weight limit, forcing heavy trucks to use other routes to reach the plants that straddle the Pennsylvania and West Virginia state lines.

PennDOT officials said they are holding a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Richhill Township fire hall in Wind Ridge to “solicit information concerning the historical significance of the bridge” and present the proposals.

“It’s booming big time,” Richhill Township Supervisor Tom Chess said of the natural gas production plants in that area. “With all the development down there, the bridge is underweight to handle the traffic that is going around down there. There needs to be a bigger bridge down there, but I don’t know what the plans are.”

The bridge could be rehabilitated if it is considered a historic structure, although it’s not guaranteed it would be upgraded to a higher weight class. A new bridge could also be constructed across the creek that would allow heavier trucks to cross.

PennDOT spokeswoman Valerie Petersen said the hearing is typical when dealing with the future of bridges that may or may not have historical value. She said the meeting later this month is just a preliminary discussion as the department works to formulate a plan to improve the infrastructure in that area and inform area residents of its plans.

“This is the beginning where we learn how people use the bridge, what resources they need and what they want to see happen,” Petersen said.

Greene County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said it’s an issue typical in this region that sparks a discussion between saving an aging bridge and the need to build a new one that can support heavier vehicles. Although, the county is not involved in the project, Marshall noted the number of state and federal guidelines regulating such bridges that open houses such as the one PennDOT is holding this month are mandatory before moving forward with the project.

“It’s one of these things where they’re trying to weigh history with form and function,” Marshall said. “Is there a need to rehab it or does it need to be replaced? They’re trying to get input from the community.”