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The work on and around the Veterans Memorial Bridge has continued this week, with a few other aspects thrown at the motoring public.
As you probably expect, it hasn't been going over well with a lot of residents.
Construction zones on the bridge, which now is the only connecting point between Weirton and Steubenville, has been a regular event over the last few years. It's not going to be anything that gets less stressful just because we "get used to it."
Full lanes have been closed at various intervals, exits have been shut down, and even ramps have been blocked off from traffic.
Having multiple projects taking place within a relatively short distance is no help.
Communication also is part of the problem, as there still really hasn't been a clear cut explanation from the state as to what exactly is being done or how long it will take.
Believe me, we're not exactly thrilled about receiving the notices from the DOH the night before a closure is supposed to happen, or worse ... the day of.
Wednesday morning, for example, I received an email reporting the ramp connecting West Virginia Route 2 north with the Veterans Bridge would be closed to traffic for maintenance. It was to happen Wednesday.
Our newspaper had been printed and out for delivery for at least three hours by that point, so the information was posted on our website and social media accounts.
What was being done on the ramp? How long would it take to perform the needed work? None of that was addressed by the DOH.
Some of those who commented on our social media, said it had been closed Tuesday night. I saw cars coming off of it Wednesday morning, so who knows?
Wednesday afternoon, we were informed the lane closures, etc. on the bridge would be extended for several more days.
Add to all of that the shoulder and lane closures farther up U.S. 22 as part of the lighting project. At least we'll be able to see better as we drive along the highway from now on.
I understand project schedules can change because of weather, or work not progressing the way it had been hoped, or possibly other things have been found which need to be addressed.
There are a lot of moving parts between the contractors hired to do the work, on-site crews from DOH and the governmental bureaucracy making the decisions.
Impatience from drivers also doesn't help. I couldn't tell you how many times in recent weeks I've had other motorists speed up to pass me only to then slide quickly (sometimes without signaling) into a space between me and another vehicle. I've seen cars traveling 70 miles an hour (going by the speed trailers along the road) on U.S. 22 even when traffic wasn't bad, just to get ahead of others.
Common safety measures and courtesy from all of us can help to prevent the crashes and injuries which have plagued this situation.
Either way, communication with the public needs to be better, though, especially when your next option to cross the Ohio River is 20 to 30 miles away.
We've reached out to DOH contacts at various points on a variety of projects in recent years. Sometimes, we get a basic explanation from someone at District headquarters in Marshall County. Other times, we're told we have to reach out to someone in Charleston. There also are times we get no answer at all.
We all understand this work is being done because it is needed to keep these roads and bridges in proper working order. After years of feeling as if our infrastructure was not properly attended to, it's nice to see the effort.
Hopefully, these projects are able to keep the Veterans Bridge operational for decades to come, especially as we're probably a good 10 years away from seeing a replacement for the Market Street Bridge.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @ChowellWDT)