Phase II Meeting #4
Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson
Bridge Study Advisory Committee
July 9, 2002

Below are the minutes taken by BHJ Transportation Study Director Michael Paprocki for the Bridge Study Advisory Committee on July 9, 2002 at the Brooke County Library in Wellsburg, WV.  This is a full list of attendance and highlights of the meeting’s discussion.

Introduction:  At 1:35, Dr. Brown called the meeting to order. He noted the purpose of the meeting was to review the results of a comparative traffic model analysis for both a southern and Steubenville-Weirton crossing. He noted preferred options would be recommendation at the conclusion of the meeting. He also noted the purpose of the Bridge Advisory Committee (BAC) is to discuss/review/advise upon a best built scenario for a new BHJ river crossing (s). The BAC is advisory. They will present and make a recommendation to the BHJ Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC will make a recommendation to the BHJ Policy Committee. The BHJ Policy Committee is the adopting body. They will make the final regional transportation decision, that is the determination recognized by the Federal Department of Transportation and the two state departments of transportation.

Dr. Brown restated the partnership agreement for the Bridge Advisory Commission. Originally adopted on November 19, 1999, this statement reads as follows.

“We the BHJ Ohio River Bridge System Needs and Location Team are committed to determining the need for an Upper Ohio River Bridge and upon a determination of need, provide a technical and responsible site (s) recommendation. The Team will work together in a spirit of cooperation. We will strive for trust and understanding among those involved, speaking only as a unified voice to the media. We will communicate frequently and openly, and work to produce a quality product for the safety, convenience and quality of life in the Upper Ohio Valley.”

“In addition, we agree to the following goals:

• Prompt decision making by all.
• Win-Win approach to resolve conflicts.
• Maintain a positive work environment through open communication
• Quality that meets or exceeds the stakeholder expectation, without the need for rework.”

Overview of Where We are in the Process: Jack Pflum, Project Coordinator for PKG Consultants provided the following overview.

• On April 10^th, the BAC agreed to the methodology and evaluation criteria to analyze alternative bridge sites.
• The consultant, per the guidance of the BAC, has agreed to evaluate twelve (12) bridge alternatives.
• On April 10^th, the BAC directed the BAC to test only the first six alternatives. This approach allows a preferred new Steubenville-Weirton crossing to be defined and a preferred southern crossing to be defined.

Review of Matrix and Comparison of Bridge Scenarios: Dave Schmitt, traffic modeler for the Study, walked the BAC through the bridge alternatives and the eighteen (18) measures to reach a consultant recommendation. Mr. Schmitt distributed an “Explanation of Evaluation Criteria” for the measures. With the exception of the baseline scenario (Veterans Bridge Only), the remaining sites were as follows.

 Southern Bridge Options

#2. Veterans Bridge and a New Bridge South of Wellsburg

#3. Veterans Bridge and a New Bridge between Follansbee and Wellsburg

Northern Options

#4. Veterans Bridge with New Crossing in Existing Market Street Location

#5. Veterans Bridge with New Crossing at Washington Street

#6. Veterans Bridge with New Ft. Steuben Bridge

Perry Keller and Wes Stafford, PKG Consultants, provided a summary of matrix results through a Power Point presentations. Overviewed items included the study corridors, existing conditions, six scenarios, VMT comparison, capital cost comparison, reduction in road user cost comparison, travel time comparison,

Recommendation of the Preferred Northern and Southern Alternatives: Jack Pflum provided the following consultant recommendation based upon the traffic model and detailed analysis.

Southern Bridge Recommendation

#2. Veterans Bridge with a New Bridge South of Wellsburg

 Northern Bridge Recommendation

#3. Veterans Bridge with a New Bridge Crossing in Existing Market Street Location.

BAC Review:

In the case of the Southern Bridge scenario, several general site location questions were raised. On a vote of 13 yes, 1 abstaining (WVDOT), the BAC agreed to and confirmed the consultant recommendation (i.e., Veterans Bridge with a New Bridge South of Wellsburg)

In the case of the Northern Bridge scenario, significant discussion followed. The recommendation of the BAC on a 13 yes, 0 no vote was.

• Create an option 4a. Veterans Bridge with New Crossing in Existing Market Street Location With a High Capacity Connection to SR 7.
• Determine the feasibility of completing a high capacity connection at Washington Street without the removal of the Jefferson County Jail

Several future meeting dates were discussed; however, it was agreed the next meeting date would be determined at a later time. The meeting adjourned at 3:55.

Bridge Advisory Committee Members

Alliance 2000 / Holly Childs
BHJ Commission / Norman Schwertfeger
Brooke County Board of Education / Ronald Ujcick
Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle / John Murray
Brooke County Commission / Paul Phillips and Bill Schaefer
Brooke-Hancock County Assessors Office / Dan Tassey
Citizens at Large / Russ Irvin and Helen Mayle
Follansbee, City of / Tony Paesano (Delegate) and Kevin Diserio (Alternate)
Hancock County Commission / Will Allison and Chuck Svokas
Jefferson County Commission / Jim Branagan and Richard Delatore
Mingo Junction, Village of / John Fabian (Delegate) and Keith Murtland (Alternate)
ODOT / Greg Gurney (Delegate) and David Speer (Alternate)
Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority / Frank Bovina
Steubenville, City of / Domenick Mucci and Dave Snelting
Toronto, City of / George Cattrell (Delegate) and Vacant
Weir Cove Moving and Storage / Romie Castelli
Weirton Steel Corporation / Andy Kowalo and Virgil Thompson
Wellsburg, City of / Jack Yost (Delegate) and Vacant
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation / Vacant and Vacant
Wintersville, Village of / Bob Laukert (Delegate) and Gary Folden (Alternate)
Weirton, City o f/ Brae Bryant and Bob Riccelli
WVDOT / Don Bailey (Delegate) and Richard Warner (Alternate)

Team Partnership Agreement

November 19, 2002

“We, the BHJ Ohio River Bridge System Needs and Location Team are committed to determining an Upper Ohio River Bridge (s) and upon a determination of need, provide a technical and responsible site (s) recommendation. The Team will work together in a spirit of cooperation. We will strive for trust and understanding among those involved, speaking only as a unified voice to the media. We will communicate frequently and openly, and work to safely produce a quality product for the safety, convenience and quality of life in the Upper Ohio Valley.”

“In addition, we agree to the following goals:

• Prompt decision making by all
• Win-Win approach to resolve conflicts
• Maintain a positive work environment through open communication
• Quality that meets or exceeds the stakeholder expectation, without the need for rework.”