Key bridge projects and bridge funding initiatives were recently highlighted by state departments of transportation in Ohio, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
[Above photo by Ohio DOT]
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) recently joined the Ohio Department of Transportation and Belmont County community leaders to celebrate the re-opening of the U.S. Route 40 Blaine Hill Bridge two years ahead of the original project completion date.
Ohio DOT closed the Blaine Hill Bridge – also known as the Arches of Memory Bridge – in August 2024 after a routine bridge inspection revealed significant deterioration, including cracking on the deck and damage to the columns and concrete structure. Construction to overhaul the bridge deck was originally expected to begin in 2027, but the agency accelerated the project’s timeline to begin work in 2025.
To enhance safety and accommodate both bicycle and pedestrian traffic, the new bridge configuration has one lane in each direction and features a 12-foot shoulder on the westbound side of the bridge, along with a three-foot sidewalk and a four-foot shoulder on the eastbound side.
“I am proud of the teamwork that brought this project to completion significantly ahead of schedule,” Gov. DeWine said in a statement. “This new bridge restores a vital connection between neighboring communities and delivers the safe, dependable roadway that Belmont County drivers expect and deserve.”
In Nebraska, Governor Jim Pillen (R) and Vicki Kramer – director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation – hosted an event marking the start of the Capital City Connector Lincoln Interstate Bridges Project, which will overhaul four aging structures in the state’s capital on I-80 and I-180 by 2027.
Bundling all four bridges is expected to save up to 20 percent in construction costs through synchronized contracting, shared mobilization, and concurrent detours, Nebraska DOT’s Kramer noted in a statement.
“Leveraging bridge bundling [has] created a direct benefit to the taxpayer,” she added. “We continuously look for opportunities to innovate.”
Meanwhile, the West Virginia Department of Transportation recently awarded a $74.5 million contract to complete the I-64 Fort Hill Truss Bridge rehabilitation project.
Built in 1975, the Fort Hill Bridge – also known as the Eugene A. Carter Memorial Bridge – carries approximately 100,000 vehicles a day over the Kanawha River and serves not only as a major east-west corridor to move interstate traffic from Missouri to Virginia, but also supports daily commuters traveling in and out of the capital city of Charleston.
“The WVDOT considers the I-64 Fort Hill Bridge Rehabilitation Project the top priority for the Charleston area,” noted Todd Rumbaugh, WVDOT secretary, in a statement.
“The Fort Hill Bridge is one of the most heavily traveled structures in West Virginia and this project is critical to preserving it for future generations,” he said. “Throughout construction, our focus will be on maintaining safety and minimizing disruptions for the thousands of motorists who rely on this bridge every day.”
Finally, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently issued $5.5 million to repair or replace 10 local bridges across eight counties and two cities – funding that will help reconnect and restore safe traffic flow on previously closed or weight-restricted routes.
“This [funding] program provides local governments the opportunity to make impactful investments,” said Rebecca Goodman, KYTC secretary, in a statement. “Replacing or repairing a bridge ensures long-term access to these critical community links will remain open for years to come.”
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Transportation Matters with Jim Tymon, Summer Edition
July 10, 2026
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