By Adam Pack
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has been hard at work outside of Lewisburg Elementary School as Rt. 60 upgrades are underway in an effort to improve access to the school. According to DOT District 9 Supervisor James Moore, this is work on State Project Number U313-60-30.85 00, which is “a General Fund Surplus project costing an estimated $1,250,000.”
The intent of the project is to renovate the existing Rt. 60 roadway west of town to provide safer and more efficient access to Lewisburg Elementary School, as well as the adjacent businesses and properties. The project will change the traffic pattern by eliminating the eastbound truck climbing lane and restriping the new pavement for two thru-lanes and a combined center-left-turn lane and construct a new right turn lane into the school.
“The first phase began Monday, Apr. 4, with state-forces excavating the embankment and existing shoulder to construct the aggregate base course for the new right turn lane and roadway taper,” said Moore. This work will be complete by mid-spring.
He added that, “The second phase will be completed by purchase order contract awarded to Southern West Virginia Paving at Alta. The contractor will mill and pave the existing roadway and newly constructed turn lane, and construct paved shoulders for the entire 3.69 mile long project, beginning 0.71 mile west of CO 40, Bungers Mill Road, and ending 0.51 mile east of CO 60/29, McElhenney Road.”
The final phase will include the application of new pavement markings to delineate the combined center left turn lane. All work is projected to be complete by summer, depending on the weather.
As far as what motorists and nearby residents should expect to see and hear, Moore said, “[There will be] Track excavators, loaders, dump trucks, large milling machine, paver, grader and other heavy construction equipment.”
However, despite the heavy hardware, the most important consideration for local drivers is safety. “The most important thing that motorists are advised to notice is the temporary traffic control devices and flaggers,” said Moore. “Please be patient and obey their instructions for your safety and the safety of the highway workers.”