First Responders Adapt as $75M Fort Hill Bridge Construction Project Begins
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — There is no understating the importance of the Fort Hill Bridge to first responders.
"It's all day, every day," Charleston Fire Department Capt. David Hodges said. "It does save us some time to be able to hit the interstate and just cross over and hop off on the Oakwood (exit) but that's not going to be an option soon."
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire engines, represent an important part of daily traffic. As the Department of Transportation prepares for another major undertaking, about 100,000 vehicles will feel the crunch of the daily bottlenecks.
But if you ask the DOT, it's a necessary evil for lasting change.
"We have band-aided it to death,” said DOT spokesperson Brent Walker. "We have tried to squeeze out additional years, additional seasons, additional winters, especially that have been super hard on that and it's just time."
Time, in another sense, is something you'll need to give yourself much more of. Closures may push your patience to the limit and for fire crews, limited space means limited options.
"We're going to have to be very cautious with that way, because the vehicles won't have many options to go and get out of the way of emergency vehicles,” Hodges said.
These repairs to the deck and the support beams could disrupt your daily routine, but DOT engineers are working to ensure that the replacements are built to last.
"We're putting the most advanced, the high-tech, what the industry is using we're putting on that bridge,” Walker said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime project for most of us."
For the fire departments, it's going to mean personnel pivots and reconfigured routes, knowing that every second matters.
"We just want to reassure the citizens that we're making our plans. There are no services that are going to be lacked,” Hodges said. “We'll plan accordingly and have those services there for you in a timely (manner)."
Walker said the DOT has met with first responders about half a dozen times as preparation for the project has progressed. The fire departments began making those plans about a year ago, when the project was first announced. They're also in constant communication with the construction company, Triton.
Keeping the lines of communication open is just as important to keep the traffic flowing.
"They know that if there is a crash or some kind of incident on the bridge or around it, they will know at any given time, or they will know what routes or detours or diversions to take,” Walker said.
Crews agree, if you can avoid the bridge, do it. Drivers are encouraged to pay close attention when crossing the bridge, especially if paramedics, police or engines need an opening to operate.
"It is cumbersome to have your red lights and sirens on and trying to get through traffic when there is nowhere to go,” Hodges said.
The road won't be fully ready to go until the summer of 2028, but until then the DOT is urging patience for the nearly $75 million undertaking.
"It's not until something bad happens that everyone gets reminded," Hodges added. "We want that to be front of mind from the time they get behind the wheel to the time that they get out."
DOT officials reiterated they will try to keep the public update on the latest developments with the bridge as the project progresses. Navigation apps such as Waze will be helpful tools to monitor the construction and detours.