The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wellsburg-Brilliant Bridge yesterday included dozens of people and government dignitaries excited about cutting down the lengthy commute.

Flatiron Construction was the contractor the West Virginia Department of Transportation selected for the project.

The expected completion date for the new bridge is Spring 2021 with most of the span set to be built in segments elsewhere and then transported to the site via barge. The total cost of the project is $131 million.

Gov Justice commended all the local governments, including the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Planning Commission, and emphasized that West Virginians need more job opportunities like this one.

Walter Ferguson, a member of the Ohio River Bridge Task Force, praised the persistence of everyone involved with the project for the past 18 years.

Crews will kick off work in the next few months.