CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Eight bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects are among 18 construction projects awarded by the West Virginia Division of Highways on Tuesday, May 5, according to a press release from WVDOH. The contracts were awarded from a bid letting conducted Tuesday, April 14.
When Governor Patrick Morrisey appointed Todd Rumbaugh as state transportation secretary in January 2025, he asked that Rumbaugh adopt a “back-to-basics” approach to maintaining the Mountain State’s roads and bridges.
“Our focus will remain on preserving our existing system, maintaining the roads and bridges that West Virginians count on every day, and ensuring the safety of the traveling public and the strength of our workforce,” Rumbaugh said.
State Bridge Engineer Tracy Brown agreed.
“Gov. Morrisey has put an emphasis on keeping and maintaining our existing bridge infrastructure,” Brown said. “We’re trying to address our bridges that are in good and fair shape and keep them that way.”
Among the bridge projects awarded are a renovation project on the Little Sandy Creek Bridge on Interstate 79 near Elkview, an expansion joint replacement and deck overlay on the Cow Creek Overpass Bridge on Interstate 64 in Cabell County and replacement of a bridge washed out by flooding in McDowell County.
Construction contracts awarded include:
- West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 12 from Cashmere to Ballard, with a bid of $1,149,661.73. (Monroe County)
- Steve Marks Construction LLC, DBA Marks Drilling, was the low bidder on a slide repair project on O’Brion Creek Road, with a bid of $94,256.50. (Clay County)
- IVS Hydro Inc. was the low bidder on an expansion joint replacement and bridge deck overlay project on the I-64 Cow Creek Overpass Bridge, with a bid of $1,312,921.85. (Cabell County)
- Thaxton Construction Company Inc., of Sissonville, was the low bidder on a piling wall slip repair project on Aarons Fork Road, with a bid of $139,945. (Kanawha County)
- West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 20, from Leivasy to Grassy Falls, with a bid of $770,621.82. (Nicholas County)
- R.K. Construction Inc. was the low bidder on a replacement project for the Butchers Run Truss Bridge, with a bid of $1,419,276.59. (Gilmer County)
- Rock Forge Bridge Company LLC was the low bidder on a replacement project for the Zebs Run Arch Bridge, with a bid of $917,274.04. (Barbour County)
- Strawser Construction Inc. was the low bidder on a micro-surfacing project on WV 20, from Bluewell to Princeton, with a bid of $1,689,421.80. (Mercer County)
- Catts Construction Inc. was the low bidder on a bridge renovation project on the Little Sandy Creek Bridge, with a bid of $15,750,110.85. (Kanawha County)
- J.F. Allen Company was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 38, from Hobson Run to Clover Run Road, with a bid of $458,838.80. (Tucker County)
- West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 61, from Ingram Branch to Kincaid, with a bid of $2,019,437.99. (Fayette County)
- Anderson Excavating LLC was the low bidder on the Fairmont Gateway Connector on WV 273, with a bid of $1,429,992.04. (Marion County)
- Rock Forge Bridge Company LLC was the low bidder on a replacement project for the Duskcamp Channel Beam Bridge, with a bid of $959,542.55. (Gilmer County)
- Rock Forge Bridge Company LLC was also the low bidder on a replacement project for the Oil Creek Channel Beam Bridge, with a bid of $889,650.83. (Lewis County)
- West Virginia Paving Inc. was the low bidder on a paving project on WV 16, from Caretta to Coalwood, with a bid of $1,925,288.71. (McDowell County)
- R.K. Construction Inc. was the low bidder on a replacement project for the Little Flint I-Beam Bridge, with a bid of $517,371.94. (Doddridge County)
- Rock Forge Bridge Company LLC was the low bidder on a replacement project for the Berwind Lop Bridge, with a bid of $536,695.28. (McDowell County)
- Ohio-West Virginia Excavating Company was the low bidder on a piling wall slip repair project on Paden Fork Road, with a bid of $667,294.70. (Wetzel 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.
With work continuing in all 55 counties across the state, the West Virginia Division of Highways and the West Virginia Department of Transportation remind the public of the importance of keeping everyone safe in work zones. “Safe actions save lives!”
