All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

WVDOH accepts bids for major I-79 reconstruction project near Weston

The West Virginia Division of Highways accepted bids for a major reconstruction of I-79 near Weston, along with 29 other statewide infrastructure projects, as part of its May 13, 2025, bid letting process.
Road Work

A project to rebuild Interstate 79 from the ground up between the Roanoke exit and Jane Lew Road is among 30 construction projects in a bid letting conducted by the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

The WVDOH is currently involved in several complete rebuilds on Interstate 77 and I-79. The work is necessary because the original concrete slabs the interstates are built on are shifting and cracking, and have lived out their lives. Continuing to pave over the existing slabs will cause further problems in the long run.

The reconstruction project will turn the existing concrete slabs into rubble to serve as a solid base for an entirely new asphalt roadway. “It’s kind of the ultimate fix,” said WVDOH State Highway Engineer Jake Bumgarner, P.E.

Another construction project will improve the highway alignment on WV 2 in New Cumberland. Realigning the highway will eliminate two right-angle turns and a railroad crossing.

Projects in the May 13 bid letting include:

  • Buffalo Creek Road slide repair. (Lincoln County)
  • Davis Branch Road slide repair. (Wayne County)
  • Harless Fork Road slide repair. (Lincoln County)
  • Big Branch Road slide repair. (Wayne County)
  • US 250 paving, Glen Dale to Narrows. (Marshall County)
  • US 50 paving, Toll Gate to Greenwood. (Doddridge and Ritchie counties)
  • I-79 pavement reconstruction, Roanoke to Jane Lew. (Lewis County)
  • WV 2 improvements, New Cumberland. (Hancock County)
  • WV 20 paving, Diana to Rock Cave Road. (Webster County)
  • South Ruffner Slab Bridge rehabilitation. (Kanawha County)
  • US 60 pipe bore project. (Cabell County)
  • East Mud River Road slide repair. (Cabell County)
  • Middle Bridge repair, cleaning and painting. (Wayne County)
  • WV 37 paving, Joels Branch to Echo. (Wayne County)
  • Shelton Topping Bridge rehabilitation. (Lincoln County)
  • US 50, WV 46, and WV 28 high friction surface treatments. (Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, and Morgan counties)
  • Neola Bridge replacement. (Greenbrier County)
  • Seneca Trail piling wall. (Tucker County)
  • Old Mill Road piling wall. (Lewis County)
  • Sycamore Road piling wall. (Harrison County)
  • Interstate 68 overpass bridge over US 119 rehabilitation. (Monongalia County)
  • Interstate striping. (Statewide)
  • Rich Mountain piling wall. (Randolph County)
  • Center Street Bridge replacement. (Harrison County)
  • River Road piling wall. (Pocahontas County)
  • Appalachian Corridor striping. (Statewide)
  • Mine Bridge replacement. (Ohio County)
  • Charles Milar Bridge replacement. (Mineral County)
  • Washington Avenue Bridge replacement. (Ohio County)
  • Hurricane City Park Bridge rehabilitation. (Putnam County)

Several factors are considered before awarding a bid, including whether a bid falls above or below the WVDOH Engineer’s Estimate and by what percentage. In cases where a bid is above the Engineer’s Estimate, WVDOH must consider the project need, repercussions of not awarding the project, additional funding sources, and whether sufficient reasons exist for the differences in estimates. Most projects are reviewed, analyzed, and awarded within a week of the bid letting, but the process can take longer.

When the Division of Highways has a project that is determined to be best constructed by a contractor, it is processed through the bid letting system. A letting is a scheduled opportunity for contractors to review and bid on several construction projects at one time. Lettings are held either once or twice per month and conducted through the Bid Express System online at www.bidx.com and handled through the Contract Administration Division. Contractors need to subscribe to Bid Express before bids can be accepted on any project.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Local clothing store reopens as Kaitlin & Co. Boutique on Main Street in Buckhannon

Kaitlin Trickett reopened the former Caroline and Co. as Kaitlin & Co. Boutique at 33 East Main Street, maintaining vendor relationships while adding new lines. She’ll kick things off with a grand opening on Sept. 27.

Mary Delores Levingston

Mary Delores Levingston, 63, of Buckhannon, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker known for her gardening, crafting and music, died September 24, 2025; cremation has been completed and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled.

City of Buckhannon releases updated schedule of fall and winter events

Buckhannon released an updated fall and winter event schedule featuring parades, festivals, arts performances, holiday celebrations, community walks, theater productions, and recurring wrestling events across Jawbone Park, the Colonial Arts Center, and Brushy Fork.

West Virginia Wesleyan College named No. 2 best value school by U.S. News and World Report

West Virginia Wesleyan College was ranked No. 2 Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, earning regional recognition for affordability, high scholarship aid for over 95% of students, and strong social mobility and academic standing.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 5; Some hope for B-U, not so much for WVU

Local sports columnist Duane Carpenter praises Buckhannon-Upshur’s offensive progress and playoff hope, criticizes WVU after a 41-10 loss, and previews Week 5 high school and college matchups while reporting pick standings and winners.

James Everett “Jimmy” Hovis

James Everett “Jimmy” Hovis, 39, of Rock Cave, a tattoo artist and electrician who loved construction and the outdoors, died September 25, 2025, and is survived by his parents, daughter, siblings and extended family; cremation planned.

Honorary First Responders Day on Saturday to benefit Special Olympics of Upshur County

Honorary First Responders Day on Sept. 27 at Warren District Volunteer Fire Department in Hodgesville will raise funds through food, auctions and activities to support Special Olympics of Upshur County’s growing athlete roster and program costs.

Buckhannon man charged after setting tent on fire with person inside

A Buckhannon man faces multiple felony charges after investigators say he set fire to a tent with a woman inside and threatened to slit her throat.

Trick-or-treat in Buckhannon set for Halloween night, other upcoming events approved

Buckhannon officials set city trick-or-treat for Oct. 31 from 6–7:30 p.m., and the Consolidated Public Works Board approved upcoming events including parades, a suicide prevention walk, recruitment drive, Trunk-or-Treat and holiday festivities.