I-79 Interchange Project Receives Engineering Excellence Award
The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) recently recognized Burgess & Niple for the I-79 Exit 99 Interchange Modification project in Weston with an Engineering Excellence Award in the Large Roadway Category. The award was presented earlier this month during the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of West Virginia Joint Transportation Forum and Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet.
B&N designed the interchange solution to address safety issues, including a short weaving lane between the southbound on and off ramps along I-79. The solution involved relocating the off ramps and including signalized intersections to meet current traffic demands. The design includes plans for a future flyover ramp as traffic demands increase. Interchange modifications include the widening and superstructure replacements of the I-79 and ramp bridges over Stonecoal Creek.
Just south of the interchange, B&N also designed an alternative route for Mud Lick Road to bypass a structurally deficient steel plate tunnel that goes under I-79. The new route uses existing bridges to underpass the interstate. Eliminating the cost of the tunnel replacement reduced the overall project cost by $2 million.
The $24 million project includes three miles of improvements and was designed in only five months. Construction of the project is estimated for completion in 2020.