WSAZ Investigates | Contractor postpones painting, closure of Huntington’s Robert C. Byrd Bridge

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - KMX Painting Inc. has postponed the closure of the Robert C. Byrd Bridge in Huntington as they work out final details concerning timing and detours, the West Virginia Department of Transportation announced Thursday.

KMX was awarded a contract for nearly $10.3 million in December 2022 to completely clean and repaint the bridge approaches, main spans, and support piers.

The bridge was originally supposed to be closed to traffic starting this Monday, March 27.

The 720-foot bridge, also known as the Sixth Street Bridge, was built in 1994, and carries WV 527 across the Ohio River.

“The Robert C. Byrd Bridge is one of our major highway structures that spans the Ohio River and provides an important local link to the City of Huntington as well as a regional connection between the states of Ohio and West Virginia,” said West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) District 2 Engineer Rob Pennington, P.E. “Completely closing the bridge during the project will allow the project to be completed quicker, more efficiently and more safely for the traveling public.”

WSAZ is working to learn more about the postponement details.

During construction, drivers wishing to cross the river between Huntington and Ohio may utilize the West Huntington Bridge at 17th Street, West, about two miles west of the Robert C. Byrd Bridge; or the East Huntington Bridge at 31st Street.

Detour routes will be prominently marked.

Following is a copy of a release from the West Virginia Department of Transportation:

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