PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Belpre Industrial Parkersburg (BIP) Railroad received a grant Oct. 24 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration for projects on the West Virginia-Ohio Bridge.

This was announced by US Senator Joe Manchin as one of the projects in the $29.7 million total.

He described the investment as a great way to connect West Virginia communities and is confident it will attract more visitors and economic development.

The project itself will contribute to the final design and repairs of both the Ohio and West Virginia bridges.

Dustin Heichel, executive director of the BIP, said this grant would be a great thing for the community.

“It’s a work in progress,” Heichel said. “We dealt with a lot of different people and the Ohio Economic Development Group was very helpful. It’s a good thing for us. It’s definitely a good thing for the community and for jobs.

Heichel adds that this will also help a lot with rail service being the bridge that connects West Virginia and Ohio.

“This is going to help the Mid-Ohio Valley a lot,” Heichel added. “It will help with rail service and truck emissions and things like that. It’s a very good thing that we got this grant.

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