MORGANTOWN — If you spend any amount of time downtown, you’re likely aware that one lane of upper Walnut Street, as well as the adjacent sidewalk, has been off limits to some degree since February.
That’s when Blue Gold Development showed up to complete a $1,203,349 streetscape project that will include extensive lighting upgrades, a new sidewalk and other pedestrian improvements as well as a full asphalt overlay in the one-block stretch between Spruce and High streets.
You may also be aware that progress on the busy thoroughfare came to a grinding halt more than a month ago.
According to District 4 engineers with the West Virginia Division of Highways, Blue Gold Development is hopeful work is ready to resume.
“The contractor indeed ran into unforeseen complications with vault seven and vault eight on the project, which included problems working around existing utilities, fire suppression systems, etc.,” the DOH explained. “The project has been on hold for five weeks as the WVDOH and the contractor worked with the city of Morgantown on solutions. The contractor hopes to begin work again this week.”
The potential for complications posed by the subterranean vaults were known prior to construction.
That’s a major contributor to why it’s costing nearly as much to freshen up a single block of Walnut Street as it did to address three blocks of Pleasant Street – about $1.47 million for improvements from University Avenue to Spruce Street.
The vaults extend out from the buildings beneath the sidewalks. DOH Regional Construction Engineer Jason Nelson previously explained that there are eight vaults beneath upper Walnut Street. He said some would be reinforced and remain in use while others would need to be backfilled and sealed off.
Factoring in the delay, the DOH anticipates the work will be completed in mid-August, explaining, “The project must be completed before school begins in the fall.”
Looking ahead, both the city and DOH are planning another significant project for Walnut Street – but this time vaults won’t be a concern.
Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee said the city has submitted comments to DOH consultant, HRG, for a Walnut Street Bridge project currently in the early design phase.
According to Nelson and District 4 Deputy Manager Aaron Stevens, the bridge rehabilitation project will likely include repairs to the abutments and steel beams as well as replacing the existing concrete deck.
It’s anticipated the bridge project won’t be let to bid for at least a year, possibly two.
