It’s closed now. For good this time.
The historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge – the original “Gateway to the West” – is now a protected piece of history that no longer will be open to vehicular traffic after transporting walkers, bikers, buggies, and cars, and trucks for more than 170 years.
Officials with the W.Va. Department of Transportation closed the span in September 2019 after a second motor coach bus traveled over it, snapping its northeast anchor and endangering the bridge’s structural integrity. Following a $19 million rehabilitation and beautification project that was completed more than a year ago, the span sat silent with barriers on both sides so cars and trucks could not pass over.
In October, contractors installed barriers/bollard anchors on the east and west sides to block vehicular traffic from crossing the bridge, but state officials told local media outlets at the time the barriers were part of an unfinished project.
Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder confirmed he knew something was up at that time, and that’s why he’s now instigating a long overdue conversation with officials of the WVDOT.
“We knew something was up there, and listen, I know it had to be closed to preserve the span and its history, but I feel for the people on Wheeling Island. I lived on the Island when I was young, and I’ve always been a fan of the community,” Magruder said this week on The River Network’s “Novotney Now” radio program. “I think anyone who grew up in the city has memories they’ve made on Wheeling Island, and there are a lot of residents over there.
“And we have a lot of successful businesses on Wheeling Island, too, so that’s just another of many reasons why the closing of the Suspension Bridge is a concerning reality now,” he said. “That’s why it’s very important to begin the conversation about a new bridge now.”
Once upon a time ago, there were three bridges that provided access from downtown Wheeling to Wheeling Island, but one – the “Steel Bridge” was removed in 1962. With the closure of the Suspension Bridge, only the Fort Henry Bridge.
“That’s why I’m pushing right now for a new bridge from Wheeling to Wheeling Island,” Magruder said. “I feel it’s time now for us at the City to begin that conversation, and, in my mind, it’s not a bridge that needs to connect to the downtown as the Suspension Bridge did. It could be a bridge that connects on the south end of the Island to an area around 22nd or 23rd Street in Center Wheeling.
“Personally, I would like to see the bridge on the south end of the Island,” he said. “During my State of the City Address, I called out Kim Florence and the folks at (Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack) for the great job they’re doing in terms of economic development for the city. They employ 600 full-timers there, and they pay a lot of taxes. That’s huge.”
South Front to South Main?
The “Gateway to the West” traveled from Main Street in downtown Wheeling to Virginia Street on the Island, and “Steel Bridge” left Main, too, but emptied to the west in an area near South Front Street near the House of Carpenter non-profit.
Magruder would like to see more separation if and when a new span is constructed.
“I think a bridge on the south end of the island makes a lot of sense because you don’t have to condemn and tear down a lot of existing waterfront properties and connect it to Center Wheeling,” Magruder explained. “If a new bridge were to enter Wheeling around 22nd or 23rd Street, it would connect to an area that’s going to be a highly developed area here in the next three to five years with the new (WVU Medicine) cancer center and other new developments.
“The city is working on some development there near our new police headquarters,” the mayor said. “So, I think it’s time to begin that discussion because the gestation period for new bridges is not nine months. It takes a lot of conversation and planning, and we will need to push that process right now.”
No matter where and when the bridge is constructed, Magruder will push hard and often with the residents of Wheeling Island in mind.
“The folks on the Island have been patient with this bridge situation, and I know they’ve been frustrated with the closure, and now, some people are pretty angry,” the mayor said. “They need a second connection to downtown for a lot of reasons, and public safety is one of them. I know we have (Station 5) on the Island, but when people need the hospital, there has to be a clear way there.
“The only option right now is the (Fort Henry) Bridge and the interstate, but what if something is going on there? An accident? Construction, as we’ve seen before? I’ve heard from Island residents, and that’s why the City is instigating this conversation now,” Magruder added. “It’s not going to happen quickly, but we need to get it in the state’s plan now.”
