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WINTERSVILLE -- Concerns about the condition of the Market Street Bridge were shared at Thursday's Wintersville Council meeting, where praise also was voiced for volunteer efforts to revitalize the village's Christmas decorations.
Bob Laukert, the village's representative to the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, said concerns about the Steubenville span's condition have spurred current efforts to secure federal funds for its replacement.
He noted the West Virginia Department of Transportation has conducted quarterly inspections of the bridge in recent years and in September, called for its weight limit to be lowered from 5 tons to 3 tons and its height restrictions to be reduced from 10 feet to 7 feet 6 inches.
The latter has been enforced through steel barriers placed at each end to prevent overweight vehicles from entering the span.
Earlier this week, BHJ Executive Director Mike Paprocki approached the Brooke County Commission and the city councils of Steubenville and Follansbee for support of the agency's application for a federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration's Bridge Investment Program.
He said the program is expected to make $30 billion available for transportation projects estimated at $100 million or more, and each state has been invited to apply for funds for three projects.
Paprocki said WVDOT officials have made it clear they consider the Market Street Bridge their top priority.
Asked to comment on the bridge's condition earlier, Mike Witherow, regional construction engineer for the West Virginia Division of Highways said, "This bridge, like all bridges open to traffic in our inventory, remains safe. WVDOH would not let anyone's family cross a bridge we would not put our own families on. Currently, WVDOH is evaluating repair options to determine what would be needed to maintain the capacity of the structure for years to come."
Laukert encouraged Wintersville Council members to take part in a survey being conducted by BHJ for the purpose of updating its 25 year transportation improvement plan.
In addition to general questions about transportation needs in the three counties, it asks respondents' wishes regarding the future of the Market Street Bridge.
It can be found at BHJ's website at www.bhjmpc.org/2050-long-range-transportation-plan/
Paper copies can be found at Steubenville's Main and Schiappa library locations and the Mary H. Weir Public Library and the Weirton Millsop Community Center and there are plans to distribute them to other libraries and locations.
On a lighter note, Mayor Mike Petrella and council members praised efforts by resident Holly Maffett and Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi to revitalize the village's 76 lighted Christmas decorations.
Kosegi said after the metal snowflake- and star-shaped decorations were powder coated, Maffett. a professional crafter, set about replacing their light bulbs, trying various sizes until she found the right ones.
When she had, she used 11,000 zip ties to apply 19,800 lights on 4,016 feet of cord to the 56 snowflakes and 20 stars, a task completed in about 120 hours over 18 days, he said.
Kosegi said since the decorations have been hung by city crews, it's been discovered that a few aren't working but wiring to them will be checked and steps will be taken to address that.
In related business, council approved the purchase of seven $50 gift cards to be used as a prizes for the village's Christmas lighting contest.
Petrella said he and council members will judge lighted homes throughout the village on Dec. 16 and 17.
The mayor also announced the Village Building will be closed on Nov. 23 and 24, in observance of Thanksgiving Day, and Thursday's garbage routes will be collected with Friday's.
He also noted Monday will be the last day on which residents may rake their leaves to the edge of their properties for collection by the village's vacuum equipment.