Phase II Meeting #6 - Unadopted Minutes
Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson
Bridge Study Advisory Committee
October 22 , 2002

Below are the minutes taken by BHJ's Executive Director Dr. John Brown for the Bridge Study Advisory Committee on October 22, 2002 at the Millsop Center in Weirton, West Virginia. This is a full list of attendance and highlights of the meeting’s discussion.

On October 22^nd at1:30 in the

Before proceeding with agenda items, John Brown indicated the purpose of the meeting was to review the final set of bridge scenarios. Upon the consensus of the Bridge Advisory Committee, a general public information meeting will be held on November 13^th from 4 to 7 at a place to be determined.

Introduction: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?

Since the beginning of Phase II, the following has been achieved and reviewed.

• Established criteria for scenario evaluation
• Established baseline scenario
• Complete traffic demand model based upon Bridge Advisory and BHJ staff input
• Complete alternative studies and environmental overview.

Upon comment from the proposed November 13^th meeting, the Bridge Advisory Committee will proceed to alternative rankings and the identification of a preferred scenario. A final report will prepared based upon these determinations.

The Bridge Advisory Committee recommendation will be presented to the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC will make a recommendation to the BHJ Policy Committee, the nationally recognized priority setting body for regional transportation projects.

John Brown noted the Bridge Study is not a financial plan. It is a report/analysis overviewed by a Bridge Advisory Committee to denote a regional preference.

Explanation of Combined Bridge Scenarios and Review of Matrix Evaluation:

Jack Pflum summarized the remaining scenarios and subsequent eighteen evaluation criteria (18). Eight (8) scenarios remain. The preferred southern alternative is a bridge south of Wellsburg. The preferred northern alternative is a bridge at Washington Street in Steubenville and connecting with Route 2 in West Virginia.

Jack Pflum’s specific comments were as follows.

• Criteria #10. Capital Costs. These costs are preliminary. Further research is needed prior to any preferred alternative and funding discussion.
• Criteria #11. Reduction in Total User Costs. Further modeling indicated this category required adjustment in the following fashion.

Scenario                             Prior                             Changed To

#2                                      14.4                             12.655

#5                                      3.9                               3.855

#6                                      .6                                 .627

Comments and Guidance of the Bridge Advisory Committee:

Who owns the present bridges?

Response: The Ohio Department of Transportation owns and maintains the Ft. Steuben Bridge. The West Virginia Department of Transportation owns and maintains the Market Street and Veterans Bridge.

Does criteria #10 include capital costs for ramps and off-bridge improvements?

Response: Criteria #10 is a touchdown point to touchdown point estimate.

Does criterial #10 include demolition costs?

Response: No. Demolition costs is an overall system costs. No matter the scenario demolition will be a costs.

Are average daily traffic counts (ADT) available for each scenario?

Response: Yes. The ADT’s are as follows.

Will the bridge be two-lane or four-lane?

Response: Probably four lanes.

Other Items:

With the lack of any further questions and no statement of objection, Jack Pflum stated a public information  meeting for general comment would be held on November 13^th. He requested further comment if the Bridge Advisory Committee objected. No further comment was forthcoming from the Bridge Advisory Committee.

Jack Pflum opened the discussion to “other items.” Mr. Pflum introduced several ramping schemes for access to Half-Moon Industrial Park. These schemes had been requested by the Bridge Advisory Committee during their September meeting. Mr. Pflum indicated costs for these scenarios would not be available until December.

Joe Cicchirillo, City Manager for the City of Weirton, distributed a tax revenue sheet. He noted Half-Moon Industrial Park annually generates over $2 million in county and state revenue while 1,053 trucks are generated from the Park on a daily basis.

Mike Gordon, Weirton Police Chief, noted the problem of emergency service and law enforcement if the proposed ramping schemes were considered.

Next Meeting:

It was agreed, following the November 13^th public information meeting, the next Bridge Advisory Committee meeting would be scheduled.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25.