Low-water bridge construction area: a sea of heavy equipment after river flooding

Construction equipment owned by the Orders Construction Co. sits in the Shenandoah River Sunday, after heavy rains raised the water level. Photo/Ty Edwards

The low-water bridge over the Shenandoah River on Route 624 (Morgan Ford Road) is currently closed as the Orders Construction Company, of St. Albans, WV works to build a new two-lane bridge in the vicinity of Route 643 (Howellsville Road). The project is 0.38 mile long and extends from 0.02-mile south of Route 643 to 0.36-mile north of Route 643.

Last week’s steady rains caused flooding of the Shenandoah.  Amongst debris floating down the river, the Royal Examiner’s cameras documented scenes of  half-submerged construction equipment.   

Equipment on site of the Morgan Ford bridge replacement project. Photo/ Ty Edwards

The Royal Examiner reached out to the Orders Construction Company, Warren County officials and VDOT officials  earlier in the week.  While the former two have not responded, VDOT spokesperson Sandy Myers said in an email Wednesday, “I have spoken to the project inspector today and he personally has walked along the flooded area to inspect this debris. Some project debris along with debris from other properties was seen and the project related debris will be cleaned up by the end of today by project crews.  The inspector says today is the first day water levels have receded enough to safely do this work.” 

Neighbors downstream from the site have also been in contact with VDOT regarding debris that they say came from the construction site, Myers said.