Work nearing completion on Kanawha State Forest bridge replacement

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West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) District 1 bridge maintenance crews are coming down the home stretch on replacement of a 20-foot bridge in Kanawha State Forest.

The bridge, located near the Kanawha State Forest campground, was closed on Friday, May 15, 2026, after deterioration was found in the steel support beams.

District 1 repair crews ripped up the old wood and asphalt bridge deck the following week and pulled out the old steel superstructure.

Steel salvaged from the bridge deck replacement project on the Montrose Drive Overpass Bridge in South Charleston was cut to size and used to make a new steel superstructure for the Kanawha State Forest bridge. Reusing the steel saved money and cut replacement time for the new bridge from months to a few weeks.

On Monday, June 1, and Tuesday, June 2, 2026, bridge crews set the new bridge beams in place and were bolting and welding together the new superstructure. Bridge crews hope to pour the new concrete bridge deck by the end of the week and reopen the bridge early next week.

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