Craig Howell OFFERING THOUGHTS – Area residents attended a public meeting, Monday in Follansbee, to learn more about possible ideas for the replacement of the Market Street Bridge. A second meeting will be held today, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the BHJ offices in Steubenville.

FOLLANSBEE — The potential of a new bridge crossing to replace the Market Street Bridge is the focus of a pair of informational workshops being held this week.

The first saw area residents gather at the Follansbee Community House Monday, learning more about the possibilities being considered for the project and offering their thoughts on the various alternatives under consideration.

A second meeting is set for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the offices of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, at 127 S. Fourth St. in Steubenville.

“These meetings are to introduce the different alternatives to replace the Market Street Bridge,” explained BHJ Executive Director Mike Paprocki during Monday’s event. “They’re looking at several alternatives.”

Monday’s meeting included representatives of BHJ, which is the region’s recognized transportation planning organization, the West Virginia Department of Transportation and HDR Inc., which is in the process of conducting environmental studies for the project.

There are seven alternatives being presented as part of the meetings.

The first five would see the construction of a new bridge crossing, to connect West Virginia Route 2 between Weirton and Follansbee with a point in Steubenville. Those selected crossing possibilities include Ross Street, Logan Street, Washington Street, Market Street and South Street.

Another option would be not to build any new structure, with officials noting the existing Market Street Bridge would eventually need to be removed because of public safety concerns. The seventh option, rehabilitation of the current Market Street Bridge, is essentially off the table, according to officials, because of its deterioration and failure to meet safety standards.

Brooke County Commissioner Christina White was among those in attendance Monday, noting the difficulty currently being faced by motorists with the Market Street Bridge unavailable and the Veterans Memorial Bridge and U.S. 22 outside of Weirton under construction for the next several months.

“I really believe we have a dire need,” White said, pointing to backups in traffic on both sides of the river, a number of automobile collisions and lengthy detours to avoid the construction zones.

Paprocki noted there will still be an opportunity for residents to express their thoughts on the project even if they are unable to attend either of the public meetings. Those interested may go online to http://go.wv.gov/dotcomment to learn more about the history of the Market Street Bridge, the alternatives being proposed and offer comments. There is a deadline of June 22.

“You need to show your frustration,” Paprocki said. “Let your voices be heard.”

According to a timeline offered Monday, these meetings help to kick off the project, with engineering and environmental studies to be completed sometime in 2027, a second set of public meetings set for fall 2027 and the development of plans and right-of-way acquisitions from 2027 to 2028.

The third phase of the project — construction — could potentially be completed by 2031.