Constructing the West Virginia Route 9 Highway to the Shenandoah River

While the snow was still flying and the temperatures were still their typical Cleveland lows this past winter, our estimating department secured the contract and our crews began preparations for the next section of State Route 9 in Charles Town, West Virginia, approximately 40 miles outside of Washington D.C.

The contract is with the West Virginia Division of Highways and includes 2.3 million cubic yards of earthwork, a 415 ft. bridge, and associated drainage and erosion control for approximately a 2-mile stretch of 4-lane road. Our work will move all the dirt and get the grade ready for future packages including a later paving contract in this section, as well as the 1,200 ft. steel bridge to span the Shenandoah River and eventually carry Route 9 to the border with the State of Virginia.

Independence mobilized in March with erosion control, clearing and blasting work leading the charge over the area. Our earthwork crews began a double-shift schedule in April. The main cut on the project is approximately 140 ft. deep through Snyder Hill located on the west side of the Shenandoah River.

As an environmental restriction, we have an intricate schedule for 1,300 ft. of the project to work without disturbing the habitat of an American Bald Eagle nest. The eagle is regularly seen watching over our operations from his nest just outside the project limits. Also, a historic hydroelectric dam on the river and high-voltage line crossings at several locations on the project have added to the complexity in planning our work. These concerns, as well as the overall protection of the Shenandoah River Watershed and the historical significance of the area, add to the challenge and the success of this project.

Additionally, with our bridge sub-contractor, Ahern and Associates (South Charleston, WV), the project team is proceeding on a value engineering proposal to replace the 415 ft. precast concrete bridge with a precast arch-span. The arch culvert will be 293 ft. long in the valley of a 90 ft. fill to convey the existing two-lane County Road 27 beneath the highway.

From working around the spring rains, as well as managing the soil-material that varies from clay and silt to sandstone and hard limestone, the success of this project will ultimately bring the West Virginia Route 9 corridor right to the bank of the Shenandoah River for the Division of Highways to let the bridge crossing still this year.

Everyone’s efforts are ensuring an efficient project that we can all take pride in. Thank you to all of those who have contributed to this project thus far, including the West Virginia Division of Highways, Baker Engineering, Operating Engineers Local 132, Laborers District Council Local 379, our sub-contractors, suppliers and Independence team members.