Work on W.Va. highway tunnel to resume

Work on the Interstate 70 Wheeling Tunnel was originally scheduled to be finished in May 2007, but problems with removing the old tiles pushed the completion date back.

The Associated Press

7/16/2008

WHEELING, W.Va. — Work could resume soon on the Interstate 70 Wheeling Tunnel, and highways officials are still confident they’ll complete the project by the Nov. 1 deadline.

West Virginia Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox said Tuesday that officials have reached agreement with the insurance company covering Ohio-based contractor Velotta Co.

Mattox says work including tile replacements could begin as early as July 21. Once that’s done, electrical work will start that’s expected to mean a roughly two-month shutdown for the westbound side of the tunnel, which is near the Ohio River and the Ohio state line.