The Tallmansville Road bridge is scheduled to be replaced in 2028, according to the West Virginia Department of Highways.
District 7 bridge engineer Chad Boram said the state is working on a long-term plan to replace the bridge, which is located near Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School.
“We’ve been trying to get that bridge replaced for a while. It has actually gone out to contract, as far as the plan development. That was awarded to a consultant, and they are working on plans to replace it,” Boram said. “The current date we have listed to begin construction for the actual replacement of the bridge is not until October of 2028. It could happen sooner, it could happen later — that’s just the estimated date we have programmed right now.”
Boram said rumors circulated online after people saw surveyors at the bridge.
“A lot of people think just because a bridge is old, it needs to be replaced, and that’s not always true. We have some really old bridges that are still in really good shape, but this bridge’s age has caused it to deteriorate to a level that we decided we do need to replace it,” Boram said. “Just like all of our bridges, we inspect it on a regular basis. Every two years, we do a very thorough inspection, and we make sure that bridge, as well as all of our bridges, are safe for the traveling public.”
He also said his office has received plenty of calls due to the potholes that have developed on the bridge.
“Over the winter, it developed some really bad pothole areas. We resurfaced that a few years ago, and it has started to deteriorate and cause some potholes. Last year, we did a pretty significant repair to make it better, as far as driving smoothness,” Boram said. “With this past winter, that came back up, so we’re trying to maintain it the best we can until we get to that replacement date.”
Boram said the old surface is being removed and the bridge will be repaved once asphalt plants — which close for the winter — are available for the project.
“It could be as many as three years before a replacement happens. We have to maintain a good driving surface across it until then,” Boram said. “I think we’ll start paving as soon as we can get asphalt from the plants. That’s been the problem — the plants go down for the winter, and they’re just now starting to open back up — so as soon as we’re able to get asphalt, they’re going to get it paved.”
While the paving is taking place, Boram said he expects the bridge to be down to one lane of traffic, or drivers will be rerouted to Country Club Road near the golf course.
