Rt. 340 officially re-opens at Harpers Ferry Dec. 1
The West Virginia Department of Transportation announced the official reopening of Route 340 in Harpers Ferry.
Thursday November 30 final preparations were performed as lanes were swept and lines were painted.
The reopening is 10 days ahead of the original completion date of December 10.
Crews have been stabilizing and removing loose rocks from the cliffside along the one-mile stretch of Route 340 between the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers since September 12.
Several times during the project rocks unexpectedly fell onto the road.
That prompted the West Virginia Department of Transportation to opt to close the road completely until rocks were removed and mesh barriers and fences were completely installed.
U.S. Route 340 was completed in the mid 1950’s with the cut slopes producing rock towers above the roadway as high as 150 to 300 feet above the road.
In all more than 1,500 cubic yards of rock or over 2,000 tons of rock have been removed during this most recent project.
Up to date current West Virginia road conditions can be monitored here anytime.
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Rockslide Repair Project on 340 issues update
The Rockslide Repair Project along U.S. 340 near Harpers Ferry provided an update over the weekend.
The repairs are estimated at 65% completion and currently on schedule to be finished by December 10th, 2023.
Contracting crews have removed loose rocks and boulders from the mountainside above the roadway since September.
The one mile section of 340 has remained closed for motorist’s safety during the duration of the work by the West Virginia Department of Transportation as boulders the size of cars have fallen during the work, sometimes unexpectedly.
Since September, more than 1,500 cubic yards of rock totaling 2,300 tons have been removed.
Until the work is completed, motorists will need to plan to continue to use the 22 mile, 35 minute long detour.
A link to the project’s website which includes picture updates of the repairs is available here.
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