On Thursday, January 15, the Pallet Factory Bridge over Sleepy Creek was still largely intact but preparations have been underway for demolition of the 1925 structure. Contractors last week removed the asphalt and other road surface layers from the bridge and shortened the bridge wing walls below to lay a base for future demolition work. Booms are in place in Sleepy Creek to contain debris from project. A signal light is directing drivers onto a temporary one-lane bridge downstream of the original bridge. That will remain in place until a new two-lane bridge is constructed.
A 2020 report by the West Virginia Department of Transportation has said the Division of Highways would preserve the history of the century-old bridge by thoroughly photographing its structure, preparing color brochures about its history and presenting the brass plaque from the bridge to the Morgan County Historical and Genealogical Society as a historical artifact.
photo by Kate Shunney
