PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — A multi-year, $17.6 million project to replace the aging ramps of the Juliana Street Bridge ramps in downtown Parkersburg officially launched this week, promising significant improvements for commuters between Parkersburg and Marietta, Ohio. The West Virginia Division of Highways District 3 awarded the contract to Triton Construction, with work targeting the ramps on Juliana and Ann streets that connect to the Senator J.F. Deem Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River.
Project Timeline and Phases
Construction will unfold in two phases over the next two years, starting with demolition and replacement of the inbound ramp nearest the Wood County Courthouse. Crews plan to maintain two-way traffic on the remaining ramp during each phase, ensuring continuous access while replacing concrete girders with steel ones and rebuilding piers. The project reaches full completion by August 28, 2028, following utility relocations already underway, including natural gas lines shifted to Second Street.
Traffic and Safety Measures
Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board committed to collaborating with the Division of Highways and downtown businesses to ease traffic disruptions. Officials emphasized the ramps’ current structural safety despite some pier crumbling, with temporary traffic controls now in place as demolition nears. Enhanced vertical clearance and ADA-compliant sidewalks will modernize the infrastructure upon completion.
Regional Impact
This initiative addresses long-standing deterioration of the ramps, part of broader Mid-Ohio Valley infrastructure upgrades funded through state bonds. Commuters traveling U.S. 50 and Ohio 7 between Marietta and Parkersburg should anticipate detours and delays, underscoring the need for alternate routes like W.Va. 2. Local leaders hailed the start as a vital step for economic vitality and safer travel in the region.
