Officials with the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) are calling the recent implosion of one of the two South Fairmont Arch Bridges a huge milestone in the agency's $72.5 million Interstate 79 widening project.

The southbound portion of the South Fairmont bridges in Marion County was demolished on March 22 as part of the massive freeway project, made possible by Gov. Jim Justice's focus on highway infrastructure.

The bridges span the Tygart River near I-79's White Hall exit. The southbound structure was built in 1960, followed by construction of the northbound bridge in 1966.

When complete, WVDOT's interstate widening project will run from Harrison County northward to the Pennsylvania state line.

The section of I-79 in Marion County from the South Fairmont exit to the Pleasant Valley exit, where the South Fairmont Arch Bridges bring traffic over the river, is being expanded to three lanes in each direction by Pennsylvania-based Swank Construction.

Shannon North, a senior blaster with Veit & Company Inc., the Minnesota subcontractor in charge of the demolition, went door to door to notify nearby residents prior to the implosion, while Swank Construction had two boats on the Tygart River to stop boat traffic.

WV County Route 60/Vinegar Hill Road was closed until 4 p.m. on the day of the demolition, so work crews could remove the existing bridge.

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