EVENT DETAIL

The US 340 Rockfall Mitigation project, located in Jefferson County, WV, addressed critical rockfall challenges in the Loudoun Heights region of Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park. This high-traffic (>24,000 VPD) 2 lane corridor serving local, commuter, and truck traffic from and through West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The corridor faces rockfall hazards due to cut slopes from 1950s construction and natural erosion along the Shenandoah River. The existing conditions pose threats to public safety, impacting emergency response times and requiring continuous maintenance by the West Virginia Division of Transportation (WVDOT).

 Access Limited Construction (ALC), a geohazard mitigation specialist, collaborated with Triton Construction, WVDOT, HDR Engineering (WVDOT’s engineer of record), Ice Engineering (WVDOT’s inspection Team) and Infinite Consulting and Engineering, respectively, to implement comprehensive rockfall protection and stabilization measures. ALC incorporated safety and maintenance scaling techniques and constructed advanced rockfall protection systems provided by GeoBrugg North America LLC on three slopes along US-340. ALC teamed with Infinite Engineering, LLC. to complete final design of rockfall systems. Rockfall slope drape, rockfall attenuator barrier, rockfall barrier, rock overhang removal and localized rock bolting were strategically deployed to stabilize slopes and mitigate the risk of potential rockfalls. The integration of technology, including horizontal drain installation, added an extra layer of protection.

The ALC and Triton Construction team ensured a seamless integration of geohazard expertise and construction proficiency. ALC completed approximately ½ mile of rockfall mitigation measures up to 300 feet above the roadway complimenting Triton’s efforts to resurface the project limits, complete sign replacements and pavement markings all in less than 90 days. ALC successfully mitigated rockfall risks along the vital US 340 corridor on an accelerated schedule to enhance public safety.