DIGGING IN – Many of the dignitaries and other guests participating in Thursday’s groundbreaking lined up to turn over a ceremonial shovel-full of dirt at Weirton’s wastewater treatment plant. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — What has been dubbed by officials as the biggest public works project in the city’s history officially got underway Thursday, with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Weirton wastewater treatment plant.

“This project has been nearly seven years in the making,” noted Weirton Utilities Director Butch Mastrantoni as part of the celebration of the $37 million expansion project at the treatment plant.

Designed under the guidance of the Thrasher Group, with a construction contract awarded to Triton Construction, the project will double the plant’s treatment capacity from its current 4 million gallons per day to 8 million gallons per day.

Planning for the wastewater treatment plant expansion project began in January 2019, following word of an industrial company looking at locating its operations to the city, with a need of up to 500,000 gallons of sanitary treatment per day.

At the time, officials noted the treatment plant, originally built in the 1960s, had little room for additional treatment capacity, and would need an expansion to properly serve that, or any other, large development.

EXPANSION UNDERWAY – This poster depicts the plans for the $37 million expansion project now under construction for Weirton’s wastewater treatment plant. -- Craig Howell

Jonathan Carpenter, site manager with the Thrasher Group, looked back at the firm’s 27-year relationship with Weirton, designing various water and sanitary improvement projects.

“It’s been an unbelievable ride,” he said, noting the wastewater project is the largest contract Thrasher has bid out. “It’s hard to believe this whole thing happened because of a phone call in 2018.”

Marie Prezioso, director of the West Virginia Water Development Authority, was among the local, state and federal officials on hand Thursday, congratulating those involved in making the project a reality.

“This is one of the largest sewer projects in the state,” Prezioso said, noting a goal on the state level to leverage as many federal dollars as possible to invest into infrastructure in West Virginia, and, as a result, encouraging economic development.

The WDA’s involvement with the project began with a $1.3 million design loan, but Prezioso noted the connection between the agency and Weirton goes back to a $39,000 loan awarded in 1975 which she said may have been the first loan awarded by the WDA.

OFFERING THANKS — Weirton Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni was among those speaking Thursday during the groundbreaking ceremony. -- Craig Howell

“Butch worked really hard on this one,” she said. “He does a good job on everything he touches.”

State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, who was credited with obtaining the final batch of state funding to cover the costs of the project, exclaimed he was proud to be able to contribute and assist the people of Weirton in their efforts to continue building toward the future.

“This plant is a sign of progress,” Weld said. “Don’t let anyone tell you Weirton’s best days are behind us.”

Mary Jo Guidi and Roseann Ferro, outreach representatives of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Jessicah Cross, field representative of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., also were on hand, delivering messages from the senators.

Mayor Harold “Bubba” Miller offered thanks to the city’s utility employees – past and present – for their work to care for what he called “the best system in the state,” saying they go above and beyond in their service to the community.

Miller pointed to other projects, including plans for a similar expansion to the city’s water treatment plant, saying there are ongoing signs of investment in the Weirton community to prepare it for the future.

“This is the beginning of a number of major projects that will be coming due in th next few years,” Miller said.