The Pocahontas Times from 1909-1910 and 1915-1916 documents the costs associated with several bridge projects in Pocahontas County

 

The Pocahontas Times from 1909-1910 and 1915-1916 documents the costs associated with several bridge projects in Pocahontas County. Here are some examples:

• Buckeye Bridge: The contract for the Buckeye bridge, spanning the Greenbrier River, was awarded to the Phares Bridge Company in February 1909 for a total cost of $7,952.
• Dunmore Bridge: In April 1909, the County Court ordered advertisements for bids to construct the Dunmore road, which presumably included a bridge. However, the specific cost of the bridge is not mentioned in the sources.
• Marlinton Bridge: In August 1915, the County Court allocated funds for the completion of bridges across the Greenbrier River at Marlinton and Patterson's Mill. The total cost for these two bridges is not specified, but a levy of 10 cents per $100 on the total valuation of $15,587,785.88 was imposed to finance the projects. The Marlinton bridge was completed by the Luton Bridge Company of York, Pennsylvania in November 1915.
• Patterson's Mill Bridge: This bridge, also across the Greenbrier River, was completed alongside the Marlinton bridge in 1915. Like the Marlinton bridge, the cost is not detailed, but funding came from the same 10-cent levy.
• Thornwood Bridge: The County Court awarded a contract to the Luten Bridge Co. for the Thornwood bridge in August 1915. The company received $685 for half of the contract price.
• Dilleys Mill Bridge: The Luten Bridge Co. also completed the Dilleys Mill bridge in 1915, receiving a payment of $669 upon completion.
• Thomas Creek Bridge: Construction of the Thomas Creek bridge was also underway in 1915, with the Luten Bridge Co. receiving $648.50 for half of the contract price.
• Bridge near Durbin: M. L. Taylor of Randolph County secured the contract for a bridge near Durbin in August 1915 for $637. The bridge was a concrete structure.
• Bridge at Steven Hole Run: George Duncan was awarded the contract for a ten-foot cement bridge at Steven Hole Run for $225.
• Bridge at Northfork Deer Creek at Greenbank: The Concrete Steel Bridge company received a contract for a bridge at Northfork Deer Creek for $1,896.
• Bridge at Big Spring Ford near Onoto: The Concrete Steel Bridge company also secured the contract for a bridge at Big Spring Ford near Onoto for $1,272.

The Times articles from this period highlight the significant investment in bridge infrastructure in Pocahontas County. The construction of new bridges and repairs to existing ones reflect efforts to improve transportation and connectivity in the region. The use of concrete as a construction material suggests a growing emphasis on durability and longevity in bridge design.