WHEELING — Officials are hopeful that work on the long-awaited replacement of the Washington Avenue Bridge in Wheeling can begin as early as this month.

Some delays have been experienced because of related utility work that needs to be completed in close proximity to the bridge before construction can start, but a contractor is expected to be ready to go on the work as soon as all other projects are wrapped up.

“With utilities, it’s kind of out of our hands right now,” said Brian Kucish, District 6 engineer at the West Virginia Division of Highways. “But as of right now, the contractor can’t do anything before they clear everything up.”

Kucish said the work may have to begin in December, but officials remain hopeful that work can start sometime later this month.

Because the work will i

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