OHIO VALLEY –

With spring here, Chesapeake Energy is hoping to get dozens of roads in the northern panhandle paved as soon as asphalt plans open for the season.

$60 million will be invested in the area, with $35 million of work that was not finished last year, bring a grand total of $95 million to be invested in road repair and re-paving projects.

“We started last year in this area and did a lot of work, and we didn’t get everything accomplished, so we are going to finish up last year’s work, and start this year’s as soon as possible,” said Chesapeake Senior Civil Engineer Bob Whipp.

The largest focal area this year will be Ohio County, followed by Wetzel and Brooke Counties.

“Overall we are paving in the entire northern panhandle, but there are obviously some roads that are worse than others that need immediate attention,” said Whipp.

A complete list for the 2012 paving season has not yet been completed, but some roads will be done.

In Ohio County: Warden Run Road, Short Creek Road, Peters Run Road, Park View Road. In Brooke County: Apple Pie Ridge Road, Girtys Point Road and Huffs Run will begin soon. Fork Ridge, Brushy Ridge, Route 89 and Limestone Ridge will be repaired and paved, and in Wetzel County, work will continue on Route 89 and Macedonia Ridge.

Chesapeake spent $60 million in 2011 on 150 miles of roadways. It plans to reconstruct or rehab 100 miles of roadway in 2012.