Follansbee joins those recommending South Street bridge proposal

FOLLANSBEE - The City of Follansbee joined the ranks of those expressing a preference for the South Street option to replace the Market Street Bridge.

City Council voted unanimously during its meeting Monday in favor of Alternative 5, commonly identified as the South Street option as the preferred location for a new bridge to cross the Ohio River.

The vote came after council heard a presentation from Mike Paprocki, executive director of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, who urged officials to consider the needs of the area's future.

"These decisions we're making today go down a long line," Paprocki said. "It's for future generations."

In information released by BHJ in August, the South Street alternative would have an estimated cost of $177,542,000, and has favorable roadway grades from Ohio Route 7 and the Third Street intersection in Steubenville. It also is the preferred option of the U.S. Coast Guard, providing an 800-foot horizontal navigation clearance on the Ohio River.

Paprocki noted the project already has received $87 million, mostly from federal sources, but explained it is critical to have the departments of transportation from both West Virginia and Ohio involved. He stated as part of those efforts, the new bridge will have to connect to both West Virginia Route 2 and Ohio Route 7. While the alternative has been referred to as South Street, Paprocki said, it will have a more direct connection to Route 7 near its intersection with Third Street in Steubenville.

"That gives us the best flexibility," Paprocki said, pointing to current designs which would allow the necessary clearance for river-based traffic, as well as enough overhead space for existing rail lines and vehicles on Route 7.

Councilman Rudy Cipriani did express some concern about the proximity of the new bridge crossing to Archer Hill Road, saying the city has been facing obstacles in getting a traffic light installed at that road's intersection with Route 2 and having the bridge so close may result in more difficulty.

"We were always told because of the Market Street Bridge light, we could never get a light there," he said.

Paprocki, though, said it was his understanding possible designs for a light at the bottom of Archer Hill already are being discussed in Charleston.

State Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, who also was in attendance at Monday's meeting, said she will look into the concern.

Despite those concerns, council agreed Alternative 5 would be the best option, agreeing to write a letter of recommendation. Follansbee joins Weirton and Steubenville in offering support for the proposal.

"The south end seems to be the decision," Councilman John Casinelli said.

The Market Street Bridge was closed to traffic in December 2023 after routine inspections identified continuing deterioration in some of the bridge’s cable anchorages.

According to timelines presented by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, engineering and environmental work for the replacement project should continue through 2027, with the development of contract plans and rights-of-way acquisitions running through 2028, and construction potentially being complete sometime in 2031.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)