Two years since slide caused lane reduction on Preston roadway
ROWLESBURG — Two years after it occurred, repairs to a slide along W.Va. 72 are nearing completion.
The slide reduced a section of the road to one-lane, requiring the use of temporary traffic lights to direct traffic. It is one of the main roads into the town of Rowlesburg for private and commercial traffic.
Because the damage was weather-related, the state applied for and received federal disaster funds to make the repairs, but that prolonged the timeline for repairs.
BBR Drilling, of Belmont, Ohio, was the only bidder, at $361,328. However, the company didn’t start the job until after the scheduled completion date, so $150 per day penalties were imposed.
A 150-foot pile wall was built to repair the slip.
Last week, West Virginia Division of Highways Spokesman Brent Walker said, BBR “has just begun backfilling operations behind the piling wall. Lagging has been installed. The contractor should be ready for paving operations as soon as asphalt plants open up …”
Wolfe’s Excavating will be the subcontractor doing the paving, he said.
With the project considered 60% complete, BBR Drilling submitted five estimates for payment so far, totaling $216,553, Walker said.
Two change orders were submitted, Walker said. The DOH approved one for an additional $13,750.
“Stone backfill was shown in the plans yet no stone items was part of the bid items,” he explained.
The other change order, for $5,280, is pending. If both are approved, it raises the project cost to $380,358.
A penalty of $150 per day has been assessed since Sept. 13. However, Walker said, “the specifications do not allow liquidated damages during the seasonal period (Nov. 30 through April 1).”
Total liquidated damages stood at $22,050 last week. The contract calls for damages to be subtracted from payments made to the contractor. BBR has not requested a reduction in the penalty or extension of the contract, Walker said.
Preston County commissioners noted the near completion of the work at a recent meeting. They also praised the DOH for work being done to reduce the canopy over roads, a complaint often made by Commissioner Dave Price.
