Traffic crosses over ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä's Fort Hill Bridge on Sept. 9, 2025. The span, also known as the Eugene Carter Bridge, carries Interstate 64 vehicles over the Kanawha River.
Traffic crosses over ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä's Fort Hill Bridge on Sept. 9, 2025. The span, also known as the Eugene Carter Bridge, carries Interstate 64 vehicles over the Kanawha River.
WV DOT | Courtesy photo
The West Virginia Division of Highways is planning the deck replacement on the Fort Hill Bridge, according to a news release. Preliminary work is expected to begin in August.
One of the most heavily traveled bridges in West Virginia, the 50-year-old span carries approximately 100,000 vehicles a day on Interstate 64 across the Kanawha River in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
The bridge deck has had overlays replaced, but the entire deck has never been replaced.
On Wednesday, DOH engineers met with officials from the Federal Highway Association, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä and South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
“Reconstruction of the Eugene Carter bridge is one of the most challenging projects the WVDOH has undertaken in many years,†state Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh said. "In order to successfully complete the project in a safe and timely manner, we will need the cooperation of the traveling public, local governments, the contracting and engineering consulting industries, the local business community and, importantly, public safety officials.â€
The project is expected to be advertised for construction in March, with bids accepted in June. It is estimated to cost $80 million to $90 million.
Details on the project, including a timeline, are available at I64FortHillBridge.com. The website will be updated as the project progresses.
In August, contractors will begin building two crossovers in the median east and west of the bridge to redirect traffic during deck replacement. Work will be done at night and on weekends, to minimize the impact on travelers.
Work will be stopped from December 2026 through mid-January 2027 for the holiday season. Work to replace the deck will begin in earnest in mid-January 2027.
From mid-January 2027 to early December 2027, the existing three lanes on I-64 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction. This is the most efficient and economical method to replace the bridge deck, according to the DOH, but the effects to the traveling public will be significant.
Both eastbound and westbound traffic will initially be shifted onto the eastbound bridge to replace the decking on the westbound bridge. Once complete, traffic will be shifted onto the westbound bridge to replace the eastbound bridge deck.
During the re-decking phase, contractors are expected to work six days a week, 20 hours a day, until work is complete.
“Our team is reviewing every aspect of this project to minimize the duration of the project while at the same time ensuring the safety of the men and women working on the roadway and the safety of the traveling public. We will be providing much more information as the year progresses and we look forward to the invaluable input of the community,†Rumbaugh said.
Deck replacement is expected to be complete by Dec. 1, 2027, with financial incentives to the contractor for each day work is done prior to the completion date. Median crossovers should be removed and other minor work completed by May 2028.
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