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ELKINS -- The reconstruction of the Davis Avenue Bridge will start in early 2027, officials report.
The City of Elkins announced this week that the West Virginia Division of Highways had provided an update regarding the Davis Avenue Bridge project, which will reconstruct the more than 70-year-old bridge, which connects south Elkins to downtown.
“The Davis Avenue Bridge replacement project is scheduled to go to construction in early 2027. That will allow the contractor to get all their necessary permits, order all the material and prepare everything,” the DOH update said, according to the City. “The contractor will start major bridge work after the 2027 Forest Festival. The bridge will be replaced and open to traffic prior to the 2028 Forest Festival.”
In June 2025, the City of Elkins reported that officials were in “early stages” of work with the DOH regarding the project. While the City of Elkins owns the Davis Avenue Bridge, a DOH program will cover the majority of the estimated $4 million replacement cost, the City said in a previous statement. The funding commitment from the DOH means Elkins “will not have to shoulder the financial burden” of the project, which the City called a “relief” for citizens.
The Mannik Smith Group was selected by the state as the general contractor who led the design phase for the project. The contractor was expected to finalize the preliminary design for the bridge in fall 2025.
In a prior statement from the City, it was explained that DOH’s goal was to use a “turnkey construction” approach, also known as “get in and get out,” to complete the project in less than one year. The alternative approach of phased construction is said to take significantly longer, which the City calls a “major concern given the bridge’s role as a critical thoroughfare for vehicles and pedestrians.”
Initially, the construction timeline was estimated to start after the 2026 Mountain State Forest Festival and finish before the 2027 festival.
In 2025, the City of Elkins noted that there were several challenges in the project, such as coordination with the DOH in regard to the relocation of a major gas line, as well as addressing any impacts on the adjacent privately owned properties. Other issues included the modification of stormwater and sewer systems and deciding on “how to include pedestrian access to the planned riverside walking trails.”