Justice

CHARLESTON — On Friday, Gov. Jim Justice announced the long-awaited Wheeling Streetscape project would proceed, and that the total cost now is in excess of $25 million.

The work will see new streets and sidewalks through downtown Wheeling Wheeling, from Main to Market streets and intersecting roads at 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th streets. Nailers Way, which runs next to WesBanco Arena and onto Main Street, also could be reconfigured to better serve traffic.

Construction is set to begin in 2021.

The project has been on the books since former Mayor Andy McKenzie’s administration, and has ranged in price from $8 million to $20 million. However, in recent years the city has twice failed in its efforts to secure a federal BUILD grant, and the project — along with the condition of Main and Market streets — has continued to languish.

Justice’s announcement Friday comes five days from the 2020 West Virginia primary election.