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WV Tunnel Structural Renovation Work Awarded

Wednesday, June 19, 2019


The West Virginia Department of Transportation has awarded a bid in the amount of $4,881,920.14 to Orders Construction Company Inc. of St. Alban, West Virginia.

Orders Construction Company Inc. was the lowest of three apparent bidders. Additional bidders included:

  • Vecellio & Grogan Inc. of Beckley, West Virginia, in the amount of $4,927,389.25; and
  • Triton Construction Inc. of Nitro, West Virginia, in the amount of $5,692,830.

The project bid May 21. The completion date is set at Nov. 15, 2019.

Scope of Work

The project includes installing approximately 270 feet of steel liner inside the Dingess Tunnel, repointing or replacing loose or missing brick and stone, installing LED lighting with vandal shields within the tunnel and installing warning and guidance signs outside the tunnel. Work will also include various structural renovations as well as correction of drainage above the northern end of the tunnel using a concrete gutter.

Brandon Ray Kirk, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The West Virginia Department of Transportation has awarded a bid in the amount of $4,881,920.14 to Orders Construction Company Inc. of St. Alban, West Virginia.

The Dingess Tunnel was constructed in 1892 and runs 3,300 feet long. Initially a rail tunnel, the structure was the site of several deadly train crashes, lending itself to local haunting lore. Following its abandonment, the structure was converted into a one-lane tunnel for vehicular traffic.

The contractor will perform 4,700 square feet of concrete protective coating application. The contractor should clean all surfaces to receive a protective coating of all oils and grease through acid etching of 10-15% muriatic solution. Where acid etching is insufficient, abrasive blast-cleaning or an approved method of mechanical abrading will be required. Mixed protective coatings may be applied by brush, roller or spray.

Work also includes 1,340 square yards of membrane waterproofing without a protective course. Membrane waterproofing will consist of a contact adhesive and high-strength drainage composite made up of a non-woven filter fabric that is bonded to the individual dimples of a molded polystyrene core to minimize fabric intrusion to the flow channels caused by backfill pressure.

The tunnel is on the National Register of Historic Places and will be documented in its present historic setting.

Owner-approved manufacturers are Sherwin-Williams, TK Products and Textured Coatings of America.

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