Good morning, It looks like the new bridge deck probably WILL be passable for bikes and pedestrians by the time the old bridge is torn down, this is from unofficial sources but make sense since the construction crews need access too. The state's official position is that it won't and they won't make other accommodation. When I asked if passage on I68 would be allowed they said definitely NOT. So I assume they expect bikers/peds to cross clandestinely on the new bridge, however it would have been nice to get an official statement about that since I will have to move if it's not the case. I also assume that the WVDOT doesn't want this information made public. If it gets blabbed too much, the construction company's insurance company might find out and make a fuss - leaving us only the interstate bridge.
I'm moving away in Sept. but I would warn everyone that once the new bridge is open it will probably get as much traffic as the freeway and 857 won't be an inviting bike route. It certainly wasn't before the bridge was closed. I would suggest actively campaigning for a bike crossing to be put on I68 under the car deck, and a dedicated trail on the other side continuing beside the freeway to Sabraton to hook up with the Deckers creek trail. This would give a great through-route for bike commuters coming from the Lakeview side. I realize that I'm the probably the only one of those now, but if you ever expect that to be different, you'll have to make this change. It would also be attractive for through-touring cyclists, and would showcase bike transportation to motorists on the freeway. This could do a lot to present a bike-friendly image or our area, I've seen it happen in other areas where something similar was done.
Have a great day, Nick