Phase II Meeting #8 - Unadopted Minutes
Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson
Upper Ohio Valley Bridge Advisory Committee
March 12, 2003 - 1:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.

On March 12^th at 1:30 in the City of Wellsburg’s Fire Hall, the Bridge Advisory Committee met to consider the recommendation and conclusions of the Bridge consultant.

John Brown called the meeting to order and provided a “status, expectation and next step” statement.

Jack Pflum, Bridge consultant, stated the assumptions and priorities as noted at the January meeting of the Bridge Advisory Committee meeting.

Mr. Pflum responded to several clarification questions. The questions and responses were as follows.

1.             Given the many land and traffic flow restrictions at or near Dean Martin Boulevard (Route 7) and University Boulevard, is it reasonable to believe ad adequate traffic design and subsequent improvements will be made? 

Response by Consultant: “I am confident a design can solve the problem.” 

2.              To what extent was Half-Moon Industrial Park considered in the quantitative matrix? 

Response by Consultant: “Our #1 priority concerns Half-Moon. Our quantitative analysis included Half-Moon. 

3.             Given the importance of the Half-Moon Industrial Park, what assurances will the Ohio Department of Transportation and the West Virginia Department of Transportation provide to prioritize the consultant’s #1 priority? 

Response by the Ohio Department of Transportation: Greg Gurney from ODOT stated this was a priority to ODOT. “We realize we can not wait until one of the existing bridges is shut down.” 

Response by the West Virginia Department of Transportation: Richard Warner from the West Virginia read a prepared statement. “The DOT will complete a road condition, geometric and traffic study to establish the existing operating characteristics of Freedom Way and including the intersection with Birch (Half Moon Road) to and including the intersection with WV 2 (Main Street) and to develop appropriate improvements if needed. Upon determining the practical improvements required (road condition, traffic control and geometrics) to increase the efficiency of this section of highway, the DOH will coordinate with BHJ in establishing a schedule for these improvements. It is understood that if the closing of the Fort Steuben Bridge becomes imminent any improvement should be expedited.” 

Mr. Warner stated after a determining vote of the BHJ Transportation Policy Board, WVDOT will start engineering studies in the summer. 

4.             What is the physical integrity of the Ft. Steuben Bridge?  

Response by the Ohio Department of Transportation: Greg Gurney stated the bridge is inspected annually. Year by year some deterioration has occurred. A detailed bridge inspection report should be available in mid-summer. 

Following this question-answer session, several Bridge Advisory Committee members made statements. 

• Virgil Thompson. Weirton Steel. Mr. Thompson noted he was the person concerned about a workable design @ Dean Martin and University Boulevard. He stated we can not wait for Fort Steuben Bridge to close before improvements are made. Half-Moon Industrial Park, a park heavily dependent on Fort Steuben Bridge, provides Brooke County with 30% of its annual revenue. On a revenue and job basis, the impact is overwhelming.
• Joe Cicchirillo. City of  Weirton. Priority #1 must be expedited. We need to move into engineering and design and acknowledge costs and impact.
• Fred Hays. City of Steubenville. He noted three concerns. A. The commitment to extend the life of the Fort Steuben Bridge and the Market Street Bridge. B. The already existing annual maintenance limitation of $200,000 on the Fort Steuben Bridge and C. DOT’s focus on priority #1 and the $5 to $7 million expenditure.
• Chuck Svokas. Hancock County. He stated since Hancock County is not within the study boundary, the project would have limited impact on Hancock County; although he was concerned with a possible negative impact on Half-Moon Industrial Park.

Upon the nomination of Norm Schwertfeger and a second by Fred Hays, and upon discussion, the BAC adopted the consultant recommendation as presented by a 22 yes, 0 no and 2 abstain vote.

Upon the nomination of Dave Snelting and a second by Fred Hays, and upon discussion, the BAC adoption the motion “to recommend and request” a letter be sent to both DOT’s to A. Commit to extending the life of the Market Street Bridge, B. ODOT drop their annual $200,000 maintenance limitation on the Fort Steuben Bridge. The motion was adopted 19 yes, 1 no and 2 abstain.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30.