I-64 Widening Study, Crooked Creek to Nitro

TRC assessed options for widening a nearly 4-mile stretch of interstate highway as part of its 5-year transportation improvement plan. 

TRC was the Prime Consultant for this project which consisted of the study and preparation of a design report for widening Interstate 64 (I-64) to six lanes for approximately 3.8 miles from a proposed interchange with US 35 to the 40th Street Bridge. With an estimated construction cost of over $125 million, this section of widening is complicated by the presence of a major bridge crossing of the Kanawha River, with alternatives for an additional structure being looked at which are both downstream and upstream adjacent to the existing bridge. In addition to this major bridge crossing, this section of the study also addressed six additional bridges and two interchanges that would need to be reconfigured to accommodate the 6-laning of the interstate.

The existing Kanawha River Bridge, which is a 3-span through cantilever truss with a main span of 562’, would be utilized for traffic on I-64 in one direction, while a new bridge crossing will be constructed to carry traffic in the other direction. A traffic analysis of the widening was also performed, along with the development of an interchange modification report for the two interchanges within the study area. The resulting study report provided a description of the potential alignments and carefully took into consideration such issues as design criteria, traffic volumes, right-of-way requirements, environmental impacts, maintenance of traffic during construction, and the construction costs associated with each study alternative. Key TRC staff members participated with the DOH throughout the public involvement process, which included the preparation of all handouts and displays.

Upon completion of the Design Study, TRC was selected to prepare and develop the preliminary contract plans for this project in order that the project can be possibly let as either a Public Private Partnership or Design/Build project. TRC is currently preparing the NEPA document, with the key to environmental clearance being the completion of a site assessment for potentially hazardous sites within the project limits.

Client

West Virginia Division of Highways

Project Location

Putnam County, West Virginia