PARKERSBURG — Ongoing issues with traffic violations on the Memorial Bridge and upcoming work plans will result in changes to the traffic pattern on the bridge and some temporary closures.

Parkersburg Bridge Partners, the owners of the Memorial Bridge, announced the changes Monday as a result of issues with drivers crossing the bridge while ignoring traffic lights, flaggers and law enforcement, creating safety risks when vehicles traveling in opposite directions would meet in the bridge’s single open lane.

Starting Aug. 15, traffic will begin flowing only east to west, from Parkersburg to Belpre.

Vehicles will only be able to enter from the Parkersburg side of the bridge. Traffic from Belpre to Parkersburg will no longer be allowed and a detour will be provided, officials said.

Cutting traffic down to one direction is intended to increase safety for both drivers and construction workers, officials said. A detour map will be released later this week, and signs will clearly mark the detour route.

“Despite consistent efforts to remind drivers to stop for the remote stoplights on either end of Memorial Bridge, including the use of law enforcement, several drivers per day chose to run the red lights,” said Jonathan Wallace, General Manager for Parkersburg Bridge Partners. “Drivers willingly traveling toward oncoming traffic put the public and our construction workers at risk. Cutting traffic down to one direction only is intended to put a stop to this issue.”

In addition to the traffic pattern change starting Aug. 15, temporary full bridge closures are also coming as sections of the new bridge deck are poured. Memorial Bridge will be closed to traffic from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 17-19 for the concrete work. The one-way traffic pattern will be effect from 12 p.m.to 12 a.m. on those days.

“Pouring sections of the new bridge deck is a major milestone for this project,” said Ken Szeliga, Vice President of Construction and Operations for United Bridge Partners. “Cast-in-place concrete spans are replacing the former steel grate deck and will provide a longer, useful life for Memorial Bridge.”

Concrete is poured at night to maintain temperature control and impact traffic as little as possible, he said.

“We appreciate the drivers who followed the traffic signals, 25 miles per hour posted speed limit and drove without distraction across Memorial Bridge. Our goal remains to keep the bridge open to traffic and safely operating throughout the rehabilitation process,” said Wallace. “We understand the traffic pattern change and temporary closures will disrupt the community and continue to work toward solutions that maintain safety at all times.”

The weight limit on Memorial Bridge is 10 tons and height clearance is 13 feet, 6 inches.

Oversize loads are not allowed on the bridge during construction.

Memorial Bridge is currently undergoing a full rehabilitation, which will result in a modernized bridge with a minimum service life of 50 years. The project is expected to be complete in late 2023.

∫ New paint and coating system

∫ Complete deck removal and replacement

∫ Replacement of existing bridge handrail

∫ Replacement of bearing pads, steel bearing rehabilitation, and other steel superstructure repairs

∫ Concrete pier and column repairs

∫ New LED roadway and decorative changeable colored lighting

∫ Repaved and improved bridge roadway approaches.

Parkersburg Bridge Partners is a subsidiary of United Bridge Partners. For more information about the Memorial Bridge project, residents are encouraged to visit www.parkersburgbridgepartners.com or visit Parkersburg Bridge Partners on Facebook and Link.

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