WVDOH reopens Rutledge Road Bridge ahead of schedule

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West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) work crews from District 1 in Charleston reopened the Rutledge Road Bridge on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, about two weeks ahead of schedule.

The 18-foot bridge, located at mile marker .38 on Rutledge Road in Charleston, was closed to traffic on Friday, August 8, 2025, after a routine inspection discovered problems with support beams under the bridge. The span had previously been restricted to one lane.

District 1 bridge crews drew up plans and expedited a project the replace the bridge.

"This is a good example of why I have shifted our focus to attention on our bridges and other infrastructure," said Transportation Secretary Stephen Todd Rumbaugh. "This particular structure was on the list for replacement, and we were hoping it would hold out a little longer."

District 1 bridge crews demolished the old bridge, drilled for new bridge pilings and built new bridge abutments in August and September. Over the next few weeks bridge crews laid down a new steel bridge superstructure.​

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, crews poured a new concrete deck on the bridge.

Final work to pave the approaches to the new bridge and install guardrails took place on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

The bridge is now open to traffic. WVDOH bridge engineers had originally estimated it would take until mid-November to reopen the span.​