It was unclear and confusing, and the state’s silence made it frustrating and often infuriating for government pofficials and Wheleing Island residents alike.
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge was shuttereed to vehicluar traffic in October 2019 and, utlimately, has never – and will never – re-open for any kind of automobile that exists. During the closure – and an extended silence from officials with the state’s Department of Transportation – a $19 million renovation project took place that repaired the snapped northeast anchor along Main Street, replaced several cables, and added the new LED lighting and other beautification aspects.
The work, performed by general contractor Advantage Steel & Construction, took a little more than three years to complete, but even then WVDOH District 6 officials and DOT leaders remained silent concerning the bridge’s future.
Until February 4th, that is. That’s when W.Va. Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh stated in a press release, “While the Wheeling Suspension bridge may no longer support traffic between downtown and Wheeling Island, the WVDOH is committed to ensuring the bridge continues” to be centerpiece of the community.
“My team and I are just the latest in a long line of stewards tor this iconic structure, he stated. “Our goal is to ensure this bridge is around for future generations to enjoy.”
And WVDOH State Bridge Engineer Tracy Brown added: “This bridge was designed and built in the days of horses and buggies. That it has lasted as long as it has is a testament to 19th-century engineering.”
But closed is closed.
The barriers in front of the original “Gateway to the West” on the east and west sides are removable in case of an emergency on Wheeling Island, but even Wheeling Police Shawn Schwertfeger has said he’s not sure if such a measure will ever be necessary since the Wheeling Fire Department operates Station 5 on North Wabash Street, and because there are one or two police officers patrolling the north and south ends 24 hours per day.
The Wheeling Suspension is now 177 years old and will be included as a major tourist attraction with jthe development of the Heritage Welcome Center on the corner of 10th and Main streets, a facility that will tell the city’s history that dates back to the Revolutionary War era.
But how did we get here? Below are a number of links to articles and commentaries published about the Wheeling Suspension Bridge over the last six-plus years, and the final story is about how Wheleing will gain a new bridge to the Island.
Enjoy!
