The Inter-Mountain photo by Taylor McKinnie A West Virginia Department of Highways crew works near the entrance to the Elkins Walmart on the Beverly Five-lane to repair the underneath portion of the bridge that runs over Chenoweth Creek.

ELKINS — The current roadwork on the Beverly Five-lane is expected to continue into September, officials say.

With extended traffic delays stretching on for more than a month now, motorists have probably wondered what the West Virginia Department of Highways has been doing on the Beverly Five-lane and how long the work in the area will last.

Responding to an information request from The Inter-Mountain, DOH District 8 Construction Engineer John D. Monk said the current work involves repairing specific “spauled” chunks of concrete on the underneath portion of the bridge that crosses over Chenoweth Creek.

When materials like concrete, stone or metal have “spauled,” it means the material has cracked, broken or flaked off from a larger surface, such as the bridge. This is often due to weathering, corrosion or pressure. The word is commonly used to describe damaged, peeling or pitting concrete, where the top layer deteriorates to reveal the underlying aggregate.

Monk stated that the project will take place in phases which will include painting and applying sealant.

“Once this phase is complete, the next phase of the project will involve painting the steel beams,” Monk said in a statement to The Inter-Mountain, noting “the contractor will then place a sealant on the top of the concrete deck and paint the bridge parapets. That will complete the project.”

Monk said the project completion date is set for Sept. 10; however, he added that he believed the contractor may be able to complete the project earlier, perhaps by mid-July.

The state Division of Highways is responsible for planning, engineering, right-of-ways acquisition, construction, reconstruction, traffic regulation and maintenance of more than 35,000 miles of state roads. Additional duties include highway research, outdoor advertising contiguous to state roads, roadside development, safety and weight enforcement and dissemination of highway information.