CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOH) has approved several major highway construction projects, including a $6.34 million realignment of a critical intersection in Putnam County. This project aims to improve the intersection of Routes 869 and 817 at the Buffalo Bridge, enabling a smoother route for traffic to cross the Kanawha River. The contract for this project has been awarded to Bear Contracting.

According to the DOH news release, "Bear Contracting has secured a contract with a bid of $6.34 million."

The DOH has also approved several other construction projects across Kanawha, Logan, and Nicholas counties as part of its ongoing infrastructure improvement efforts:

KANAWHA COUNTY

PDK Construction will renovate interstate signs in Charleston with a bid of $5.29 million.

Triton Construction will rehabilitate the Steven Wayne Smith Memorial Bridge with a bid of $3.45 million.

Tempo Construction will repair a culvert along Thorofare Road with a bid of $386,000.

LOGAN COUNTY

Advanced Painting & Contracting will complete a joint replacement project on the U.S. Navy Chief Boatswain’s Mate Memorial Bridge with a bid of $793,000.

Hinkle Environmental Services will conduct a slip repair project along Pine Creek Road with a bid of $354,000.

NICHOLAS COUNTY

Davis H. Elliot Construction will install traffic signals along U.S. 19 and in Summersville with a bid of $1.35 million.

West Virginia Paving will pave a portion of Route 20 with a bid of $1.04 million.

Key Factors in Awarding Bids

Transportation officials emphasized that various factors are considered when awarding these contracts, including DOH engineer estimates, the specific needs of each project, and available funding sources. These projects are expected to improve road safety, efficiency, and infrastructure across multiple regions in West Virginia.

Originally reported by Staff Reports in Eye Witness News.