Associated Press Published

No Bridge Work Yet for Elkview's Crossings Mall

Flood, Elkview

About 500 people remain out of work because a flood-damaged bridge crucial to accessing a marooned Elkview mall has not yet been repaired.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports a hotel, restaurants, gas stations, stores and other businesses in the Crossing Mall, including Kmart and Kroger, are still inaccessible. There are no signs of construction to replace the culvert that was swept away by raging floodwater on June 23.

County officials say they have tried contacting property owner Bill Abruzzino, of Naples, Florida, but he has not returned their calls.

In the wake of the flooding, Plaza Management Facilities Maintenance Director Beth Abruzzino had said construction was slated to begin Aug. 1.

The newspaper could not reach Bill Abruzzino or Beth Abruzzino for comment.