Before making a recommendation to the state Department of Transportation concerning the future of the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge, W.Va. Del. Erikka Storch will seek out the opinion of her constituents in the Third District.
Storch is in her sixth term as a member of the House of Delegates, and several local residents have communicated to her their feelings about whether or not vehicular traffic should be allowed once the two-year renovation and beautification project is complete. Tony Clark, the District 6 Engineer for the Division of Highways, announced a few weeks ago the state hired Advantage Steel and Construction of Saxonburg, Pa., for the $17.9 million overhaul.
The Suspension Bridge has been closed to traffic for nearly two years after a fully packed motorcoach drove over the span before becoming struck on the hard barrier on the east side nearest downtown Wheeling. Clark explained to LEDE News in early 2021 the primary problem inspectors discovered involves the northeast anchor beneath Main Street.
“I know it would have been great for Wheeling Island residents to have access to the Suspension Bridge during the Interstate 70 project because the timing of that project and the closing of the Suspension Bridge was horrible,” Storch said. “With that said, the bridge is closed because of the damage and because of how many overweight vehicles were traveling over it every day.
“I know the bus caused it to close, but we all know most people were ignoring the weight limit and the interval rule while going over it,” the lawmaker continued. “What we know now is that the state is going to invest at least $20 million, so I am sure they are going to want to protect that investment.”
True Representation
Clark has told the media and local residents the decision concerning the use of the Suspension Bridge cannot be made until the work crews eyeball the damage to the northeast anchor and to the superstructure of the span. That is when he expects state officials in Charleston will decide if automobiles under 2 tons can ever again utilize the first-ever bridge over the Ohio River.
Pedestrians and bicyclists have not been permitted to cross the spans since the closure in December 2019.
“I have people contact me to tell me they believe it should remain closed to cars, and I have had others who feel the opposite. So far, it’s been about 50-50,” Storch explained. “The people who want it reopened to traffic have suggested some safety precautions to keep the overweight vehicles off of it. No one wants another Greyhound bus to go over the Suspension Bridge ever again.
“We do know there’s no way to allow any vehicles over 2 tons to travel over it anymore,” the lawmaker said. “I do think it would be a good idea to have a town hall meeting so I can hear from many more of the residents who live in this area, so I can recommend what they would like to see. I try to gather as many opinions as I can in these situations because it’s not just about what I think.”
Storch realizes, however, that while she can represent the majority opinion of the residents of the Third District all day long, state officials may choose to focus on preserving the 172-year-old bridge that was the original “Gateway to the West.”
“Even if I end up recommending that it reopens to vehicular traffic, they could just say, ‘Nope,’ because, in the end, it is a decision that will be made in Charleston,” Storch said. “I know no one alive wants to see the bridge fall into the Ohio River, and that may be what it comes down to.
“Most of the cars and trucks that are built these days are over 4,000 pounds, and that may weigh into their decision, as well,” she added. “I know some preliminary work is supposed to start soon, but most of the work won’t get started until next spring, so maybe we’ll find something out then. Between now and then, I’d like to talk with as many people as possible.”
