• Minutes for January 19^th were amended to indicate rehabilitation costs estimates for the Market Street and Ft. Steuben Bridge were more specific to a 10 rather than 20 year time frame. In addition, the projected minimum costs for a new bridge crossing is $80,000,000 rather than $80,000. With these changes, the minutes as amended were accepted unanimously.
• Caleb Faux, Project Manager for the Bridge Study and a member of the consultant firm of Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum (PKG) provided a progress report on activities for the last 30 days.

• A final report will be presented in May to the Advisory Committee.
• Over the past month, Burgess & Niple, a subcontractor to PKG, in coordination with the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Transportation Division, has updated the traffic forecasting model for the three-county region.
• In addition, PKG has prepared a Traffic Operations Report. The purpose of the report is to define, analyze and make recommendations regarding the traffic operations of bridges and adjacent roadways in the Steubenville, OH/Weirton, WV area.
• For the 30 days following the meeting, PKG will prepare for a public information meeting to be held March 15^th from 4-7 at the Jefferson Community College. The general public will be invited. A summary of project conclusions will be made.

• Caleb Faux introduced the agenda. The emphasis of the meeting is to summarize traffic model projects for the next 20 years and indicate the ability of the regional road system to accept future road demands.
• In introduction, Caleb Faux noted the traffic model was prepared under four bridge scenarios (All 3 bridges remain/Ft. Steuben Bridge removed/Market Street Bridge removed/Both Ft. Steuben & Market St. bridges removed). Data indicates, while the Veterans Bridge can handle future volume if either or both optional bridges were closed, traffic congestion and levels of service would operate at an unacceptable rate. This conclusion is based upon ramping needs at the Veterans Bridge and intersection design problems.
• David Schmitt, traffic modeler and staff for subconsultant Burgess & Niple, summarized his traffic model conclusions and provided relevant background.

• The Market Street Bridge is a severely weight limited bridge. It can not carry truck traffic.
• With the exception of the Steubenville/Weirton metro area, other Ohio River metro areas have at least two full service/modern bridges to provide emergency access.
• If only the Veterans Bridge were left in operation, a major choke point would be created.
• The model did not consider the economic development/job development potential of a bridge.
• Future traffic projects are based upon confirmed or known future development.

• An eleven (11) page summary sheet was distributed by Mr. Schmitt. Included in the report were the following points.

• The projection period is 1999 to 2020.
• Total river crossings is projected to increase from 43,700 to 48,100.
• Remove of the Ft. Steuben Bridge is elastic; if Ft. Steuben Bridge is removed they will not use any bridge in the region.
• 60% to 70% of traffic volumes originates from West Virginia

• The following advisory committee comment was made.

• Was there any consideration to a new bridge south of the Market Street Bridge?
      Answer: This was considered only on a preliminary basis. Further growth projections are needed to provide a clearer picture.
• What would happen if the Veterans Bridge closed on an emergency basis?
      Answer: Significant time delays and congestion would occur. With the Ft. Steuben as the only truck weight baring bridge, the short-term economy would fall on the negative side.
• If a new bridge is agreed to and a fast-track approach is projected at a minimum of 6-7 years, would happen if either or both the Ft. Steuben or Market St. bridges were closed?
      Answer: Significant time delays and congestion.
• Entry ramps run onto the Veterans Bridge restrict actual through lanes to four lanes rather than six lanes. Is this true?
      Answer: Due to development and topography restrictions this is true.
• Given the defined problems, shouldn’t we develop a sequenced strategy where we define all congestion problems and work for a resolution. Example: Improvements to Freedom Way and University Boulevard.
      Answer: This appears to be appropriate.

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