Phase II Meeting #5
Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson
Bridge Study Advisory Committee
September 3, 2002

Below are the minutes taken by BHJ's Executive Director Dr. John Brown for the Bridge Study Advisory Committee on September 3, 2002 at the Brooke County Library in Wellsburg, WV.  This is a full list of attendance and highlights of the meeting’s discussion.

Introduction:  On September 3^rd at 1:30 in the Brooke County Library, meeting Coordinator John Brown called the meeting to order.

Before proceeding with agenda items, Wellsburg Councilman Jack Yost introduced the new city manager for Wellsburg, Margaret Metzger. Dr Brown welcomed Ms. Metzger on behalf of the BAC (Bridge Advisory Committee).

With no comment or amendments to the July 9^th meeting of the BAC, the meeting minutes were adopted as presented. He restated the role of the BAC was advisory and, upon evaluation of the consultants work, the BAC would make a recommendation. This recommendation would be forwarded to the TAC (BHJ Technical Advisory Committee) and TAC would make a recommendation to the BHJ Policy Committee. The Policy Committee is the approving body of BHJ. Their statement would stand as the overall metropolitan transportation planning recommendation for the region.

Dr. Brown indicated the purpose of the meeting was to determine a preferred northern alternative.

Explanation of Northern Alternatives and Matrix Review: Jack Pflum, Study Manager for PKG Consultant Team, referred the BAC to the BHJ Alternatives Evaluation Matrix and related explanation of evaluation criteria.

Mr. Pflum recommended alternative #5. (Veterans Bridge plus a Washington Street Bridge) as the preferred northern alternative. This recommendation was based upon the design of a bridge and access to Route 7 which diverted the Jefferson County Jail. An additional factor was the capital cost ($40 million / Washington Street and $47.75 million / Market Street).

Mr. Pflum indicated capital cost included the ramping or “touchdown to touchdown” cost.

BAC members asked questions related to the revised bridge design for Washington Street, design impact on Big Red High School, ability to handle trucks and wide loads, and four vs. two lane bridge construction.

Further discussion centered on operational improvements to University Boulevard and access for Half-Moon Industrial Park in Weirton.

Selection of Preferred Northern Alternative: The BAC unanimously agreed Option 5 (Vets plus Washington Street) was the preferred northern alternative; however, it was agreed Option 6 (Vets, new Fort Steuben) would also be considered to assure appropriate access for Half-Moon Industrial Park.

Jack Pflum assured the BAC that operational improvements impacted by a new or replacement bridge construction would be included in their upcoming analysis.

Ms. Mayle asked whether this bridge system study had been explained to Congressman Strickland and when federal funding would be requested. Dr. Brown indicated Congressman Strickland had been introduced to this project while funding would not be requested until further specifics including a local consensus had been reached.

Next Steps: Jack Pflum indicated, with the completion of today’s meeting, six bridge options had been evaluated. These options had been narrowed to three options.

The next meeting of the BAC will consider the following new bridge combinations.

#7        Vets     Southern           Washington Street        Ft. Steuben

#8        Vets     Southern           Washington Street

#9        Vets     Southern                                              Ft. Steuben

#10      Vets                             Washington Street        Ft. Steuben

The next meeting date was scheduled for Tuesday (October 22^nd) in Weirton. The meeting place was to be announced later.

The meeting adjourned at 3:10.