POINT PLEASANT — The repaving of W.Va. 62 through Point Pleasant is still on track though it will likely happen in September as opposed to this month.

Back in May, the West Virginia Department of Transportation announced the project would be advertised in July and hopefully begin in August, though this date was tentative at best.

This week, Joe Weiskircher of West Virginia Division of Highways, said the project is still moving forward and has indeed been designed and made ready for contractor bid. The project was advertised on July 17 and bids will be opened on Aug. 21. Weiskircher said the project will likely be awarded to the lowest bidder by Aug. 24.

After the project is awarded, the contractor has 30 days to mobilize and begin construction after the award of the contract. This means in all likelihood, resurfacing work should begin in September.

The paving project is 2.21 miles in length and will start roughly at the traffic light at Third and Viand Streets and end near the traffic light at the intersection of Jackson Ave. and Sandhill Rd. This means nearly all of W.Va. 62 through Point Pleasant will get a much needed facelift.

For months, city officials in Point Pleasant have been hearing constant complaints about the condition of W.Va. 62. These officials have all heard about the poor shape of the main road through Mason County’s biggest town but what many don’t realize is the road is a state route and therefore falls under state jurisdiction to fix and maintain. This means all the city officials could do was basically ask (and ask, and ask) to have the roadway resurfaced.

In addition, this spring, the Mason County Commission sent a letter of support for the road’s repaving to WVDOT, citing the fact that W.Va. 62 runs through the county seat and is one of the county’s most heavily traveled roads with the exception of U.S. 35, as reasons for its needed repaving.

Back in May, the engineer’s estimate for the project was reported to be around $700,000.