NEW LEADERSHIP — The Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission elected new officers Wednesday, including Jefferson County Commissioner Tony Morelli, left, who was seated with BHJ Executive Director Mike Paprocki. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — The Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission was updated Wednesday on efforts to replace the Market Street Bridge and elected new leaders.

BHJ Executive Director Mike Paprocki said officials with the West Virginia Department of Transportation have indicated they expect in the next several weeks to name a consultant for preliminary studies and design for the proposed new span.

He cautioned that news came during a video conference meeting Friday that included former West Virginia Secretary of Transportation Jimmy Wriston, who has since been replaced by Todd Rumbaugh. Rumbaugh previously served as chief construction engineer for the state Division of Highways.

Rumbaugh was appointed to the position by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who officially took office on Monday.

Paprocki said in pursuing a replacement for the Market Street Bridge, closed since Jan. 21, 2023, “We’ll have to work with our new secretary (of transportation) and we anticipated that.”

He added BHJ will continue to push for the allocation of a $52.5 million local match required of an $87.5 million grant awarded by the Federal Highway Administration for the project.

Asked if federal funds may be applied toward the match, Paprocki said up to 30 percent of it can be from federal transportation funds allocated to the state on an annual basis.

Paprocki said former U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Sherrod Brown had been strong supporters of the project and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., continues to be a vocal advocate and has visited the site of the current bridge.

Asked if the Ohio Department of Transportation has made a commitment to the project, Paprocki said, “Not at this point. This (current) bridge is owned 100 percent by the state of West Virginia. In fact, the state owns the land in Ohio where the bridge touches down.”

But he predicted ODOT will become involved in some manner.

ODOT had assumed 35 percent of the $131 million cost for the bridge between Brilliant and the Wellsburg area.

Following Wednesday’s meeting, Paprocki said funding for the span requires that it leads traffic to a state route, which occurred with the Third Street link to state Route 7 for the Wellsburg Bridge.

He noted a replacement bridge at Market Street could be linked to state Route 7, while one at Washington Street, which is part of state Route 43, also would fulfill that requirement.

A specific location for the replacement hasn’t been identified, but it’s been noted building at or near the span’s present site should expedite environmental studies required for such a project.

To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, the consultant selected by WVDOT is expected to evaluate the span’s impact on the surrounding environment, including not only wildlife but also existing and projected traffic patterns and the local economy.

WVDOT has reserved $1.8 million for the consultant’s services.

Paprocki said while environmental impact assessment for the Wellsburg Bridge took four years, he expects a much shorter time period for the next bridge in order to meet deadlines set for the federal funds awarded for it.

He noted the funds must be formally allocated by Sept. 30, 2027, and expended by Sept. 30, 2032, though the construction is not likely to be completed until later.

Of the environmental assessment, Paprocki said, “We’re compressing this into a two-year process. Whoever the consultant is, they’re going to be very busy to get this done.”

Paprocki said he expects public hearings, like those held for the Wellsburg Bridge in Wellsburg and Brilliant, to be conducted in Follansbee and possibly Steubenville.

He and others have noted a new span must accommodate all traffic, including large trucks, so the turning radius from it also must be considered.

Paprocki said BHJ will be able to share information gathered through a study it has launched of traffic signals and other conditions on downtown Steubenville streets.

He said staff with Strand Associates of Columbus have been performing traffic counts as part of the study, which includes 13 intersections along Third, Fourth, Seventh, Adams and North streets and in the area of Logan Street. It was funded with a $136,360 ODOT grant.

In other business, the commission elected new officers.

Carrying on a tradition of alternating chairmen between West Virginia and Ohio, Brooke County Commissioner A.J. Thomas was replaced as chair by Jefferson County Commissioner Tony Morelli.

The commission’s new leadership includes Patrick Arneault, a representative for Hancock County, as vice chairman; Tom Timmons of Steubenville as treasurer; and Follansbee Councilman Nick Cekinovich as secretary.

The commission also received updates on other transportation projects from representatives of the West Virginia Division of Highways and ODOT.

Scott Warner of ODOT announced left and right turn lanes will be added to the intersection of state Route 43 and county Road 43 this summer in a project with an estimated cost of $1.3 million.

And Brady Vannest of WVDOH said crews continue to work to improve lighting and signs along U.S. Route 22 in Weirton while a study will evaluate traffic signals along state roads in Weirton.

Asked about the planned realignment of state Route 2 in New Cumberland, Vannest said the sole bid for engineering for the project came in higher than expected so officials are reviewing the specifications so it may be advertised again.

Concerns about a crumbling rock retaining wall in the Station Hill area of the city were shared with Vannest, and he agreed to relay them to other WVDOH officials.

He also said he will check on the status of the proposed widening of the intersection of state Routes 2 and 27 in Wellsburg.

The commission’s next regular meeting will be held at noon March 19 at its office at 124 N. Fourth St.