UPDATE: Work Resumes on Wheeling Streetscape After Weeks-Long Stoppage; Storage Tanks Removed From Ground

Crews were seen Monday, April 17, digging at the site for the first time after a multi-week stoppage.

UPDATED AS OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19.

As I reported in a Hudson Household Editorial exclusive article, the discovery of storage tanks containing “material” caused the portion of the Wheeling Streetscape Project at the intersection of 16th St, Main St, and Nailers Way to see work stopped. This work stoppage was confirmed to me by a member of the Public Relations team for the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The Wheeling Streetscape project is operated by WVDOT

Crews are shown digging around the site of the Wheeling Streetscape Project that had paused after the discovery of previously unknown storage tanks. The crumpled remains of the tanks can be seen at ground level, as well as a yellow barrier below the site. At the time of this photo crews were removing soil.

.As of Monday, April 17, crews were spotted continuing work at the site. The crumpled remains of what is assumed to be one of the storage tanks can be seen at ground level. A barrier was erected below the site, presumably to stop any contaminants from flowing into Wheeling Creek—less than 20 feet from the previously unknown storage tank.

A request for comment submitted Friday, April 14, to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has not been answered as of writing this article; however, a member of WVDEP Communications Department did reach out to me to confirm his staff was looking in to my questions. These questions include: 1) a confirmation of the contents of the tank, 2) any indication when the tanks were buried, and 3) if there is any risk posed to the community.

A second request for comment submitted Monday, April 17, to the WVDOT has not been answered as of writing this article. These questions include: 1) a confirmation of the contents of the tank, 2) an expected timeline from the WVDOT for removal of the tanks, 3) a confirmation of how many tanks were found, and 4) comment on why the storm drainage wasn’t installed before Nailers Way opened in June 2022.

A request for comment submitted Monday, April 17, to the City of Wheeling has not been answered as of writing this article; however, a member of the Marketing and Community Relations team for the City informed me they are looking in to my inquiries. These questions include: 1) comment on why the storm drainage was not added during original construction of Nailers Way, 2) if the city was reimbursed the more than $38,000 it spent in June 2020 to contract Wallace & Pancher, Inc, to construct Nailers Way, and 3) if the City has provided any further funding to this specific portion of the project.

As requests for comment are answered I will be updating these articles.

To view the original story, click here: Discovery of Storage Tanks Halts Portions of Wheeling’s Streetscape Project

UPDATE: On Wednesday, April 19, a spokesperson from WVDEP confirmed crews had removed the storage tank. Only one storage tank was found. This tank contained “what appeared to be water” and was partially filled with sand. An odor of aged diesel fuel was observed. The water was pumped out for testing, and the sand was removed for testing. Testing will be conducted by Miller Environmental of Ohio and results will be submitted to WVDEP. View the full updated article.