PRINCETON, W.Va. -Since last March, the City of Princeton has successfully juggled traffic on one of its main streets and a major construction project.
“The Thorne Street Bridge really is a main artery from the East end of the city into our business district. Let alone for EMS, for schools, and all the other things that go into that, but it was critical that it stayed open, and they were able to do that, so it’s been great,” said Mike Webb, City Manager for Princeton.
Planning for the project started years before construction crews’ broke ground in 2024 that would soon impact future generations.
“Thanks to the state. This was a big deal for Princeton because that’s a once-in-a-generation project being built. That bridge goes over water. It goes over multiple railroad tracks. I mean, it is a large bridge and they’re working on and doing a great job of getting it done,” continued Webb.
Now near the halfway point in replacing Thorn Street Bridge, the city is taking advantage of the recent break from the cold.
“A lot of development has started picking up since the weather broke finally after really about a month of just freezing weather, and so you see more cranes working right now. There’s a lot of still work going on. So, they’re really progressing,” said Webb.
With the process ramping-up, Webb adds drivers may see Thorn Street turn to a single-lane at times going forward, but he says the city is doing all it can to keep both open.
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