WESTOVER, W.Va. — The City of Westover is still on track to start on two large-scale infrastructure projects following the West Virginia Department of Highways maintenance work on Holland Avenue to start the month of February.
As DOH crews continue work on addressing potholes just north of the Westover Bridge near downtown Morgantown, Westover Director of Public Works Jason Stinespring confirmed that the replacement of over 2,000 sewer lines around Holland Avenue and the barrier wall near the bridge are scheduled to begin in March, with the Dunkard Avenue pump station replacement scheduled to begin in June. This was announced during the regular meeting of Westover City Council Monday, where he mentioned some delays in the acquisition of materials that affected the start of the work on Dunkard Avenue as materials are finalized for the Holland Avenue project.
“Holland Avenue construction is still supposed to begin in March, the replacing of the lift station down on Dunkard Avenue, the latest they would get started is in June, in that timeframe,” said Stinespring.
According to Stinespring, the materials causing a delay for the start of work on the Dunkard Avenue lift station stem from the acquisition of materials needed to support a complete replacement of the water utility. This is separate from the 500 feet of new sanitary sewer line and 500 feet of new force main line that will be included as part of a connection to the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) water treatment system. The work that will be completed by Green River Group, LLC for approximately $2.96 million is still expected to take place by the time Blue Gold Development, LLC is expected to be nearly finished with the Holland Avenue project.
“For Blue Gold, for that project, I think they have most of what they need, but the replacement of the lift station on Dunkard Avenue, that one I think they were held up a little bit more with materials,” said Stinespring. “It was more specialized things,” he said.
Westover general counsel Tim Stranko mentioned that the materials that will be needed for the Holland Avenue work will go through final inspection with contractors and engineers in the coming weeks. Staff with the MUB are also expected to continue participation in the project to make sure the approximately $2.9 million of work that will take place near the Westover Bridge remains a long-term fix. A goal is considered crucial due to both the logistical and aesthetic issues that have plagued Holland Avenue for years, with the damaged water pipes playing a huge role.
“The engineers are responsible for making sure that all of the materials that the contractor uses are up to spec,” said Stranko. “We are looking for the best option and the most aesthetically pleasing option that will fit the project budget, so that’s what the engineers are looking for,” he said.
In the weeks ahead of sewer line and barrier wall replacements on Holland Avenue, Stinespring wants to advise residents that crews will begin preparation work by the time DOH crews finish pothole work this week. Thrasher Group, who is assisting in the project, will start the placement of utility markers around properties affected by the project by next Monday that will remain there by the time the DOH completes a final resurfacing of the road to close out the work. With a goal to have a significant amount of the work completed by the end of 2025, the City of Westover is excited to move forward with two projects with long-term implications for the city.
“Thrasher surveyors will be planting markers for the actual project, and some people might see flags in their yard or in their landscaping going down through there,” said Stinespring on what will be seen next regarding the Holland Avenue work. “Those are just temporary, related to the project, when we’re done, we’ll take them out,” he said.
The projects are financially supported by a MUB sewer rate increase of about 45 percent for residents in the city and the use of $1.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated for the City of Westover.