The Upshur County Commission has announced that the forthcoming Route 20 lane expansion project is now slated to begin construction in summer 2026.
The Upshur County Commission was presented with plans by the West Virginia Department of Highways in 2024, and that design will expand the street at the intersection near the courthouse to ease traffic congestion. Commission President Sam Nolte said the project had been delayed, but the state is now planning to bid out the project in spring 2026 and to start construction in summer 2026.
“The road expansion project at the courthouse is progressing well; as per the Department of Highway, the project is set to go out for bids in the spring of 2026, with construction expected to begin in the summer of 2026,” Nolte said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and look forward to advancing this project to support the DOH.”
The project will widen South Locust Street and lengthen the turning lane on the south side of the Main Street stoplight. Nolte said he expects the construction to commence after the Strawberry Festival next year.
“We thought it was going to go out this past year; in early spring, they anticipated there would be construction starting prior to Strawberry Festival, with the plans of shutting it down during the festival,” Nolte said.
With the delays, Nolte hopes the project will avoid the festival altogether.
“I feel like it would be after the Strawberry Festival, since it’s going out to bid next spring,” he said.
Upshur County Commissioner Kristie Tenney said the county also received a letter from the DOH, stating that they will contact the commission at a future meeting about obtaining some property to complete the project.
In other Upshur County Commission news:
- The commission reviewed and signed off on two Sworn Statements of Expenditures for the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office for grants obtained by the Upshur County Commission. Per W.Va. Code §12-4-14, these documents are required to be filed within two years of the end of the grantee’s fiscal year in which the disbursement of state grant funds by the grantor was made.
- The commission approved to publish an advertisement for a Seasonal Part-Time Maintenance/Grounds Keeper Position in the Upshur County Maintenance Department. The candidate will work no more than 29.5 hours per week beginning immediately and concluding in the fall.
- The commission approved the appointment of Joe Hughes to the Upshur County Parks and Recreation Board. The term begins immediately through June 30, 2027.
