W.Va. Governor/U.S. Senator-Elect:
Before you leave office and head off to Washington, D.C., we in Wheeling have ONE last favor to ask even though we’re aware you’ve been advised not to take any risks with a national monument like the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. And, honestly, we would understand why you would decide not to give motorists in the Northern Panhandle a second chance.
It was, after all, on OUR watch when far too many overweight vehicles – including a pair of flippin’ jam-packed motor coaches – traveled over the original “Gateway to the West” and damaged the historic span.
But still, we ask you to open the Wheeling Suspension Bridge to vehicular traffic with a 4-ton limit and all the protective barriers necessary to keep bus drivers and moron motorists from crossing it.
We make this request based on the following five reasons:
- Every second means everything when it comes to emergency response, and we’re sure the fire department could send a below-limit vehicle – with a pair of EMTs – over the Suspension Bridge while the other necessary overweight units use the Fort Henry Bridge.
- No other neighborhood in the city of Wheeling has only two access and exit points, and neither should Wheeling Island.
- We could say we would like the “convenience” back, but it’s more about avoiding the constant inconveniences of construction, inspection, and if there’s an accident on the Fort Henry Bridge? We’re stuck just like the ambulances are stuck.
- As far as state code is concerned, if the span allows for vehicular traffic, funding issues vanish.
- The closure of the span has hindered local efforts to re-develop Wheeling Island back to the wonderful neighbor it once was not too long ago.
If your decision is still to permanently block vehicular traffic on the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, then please explain your reasons very clearly so everyone can understand.
Also, please begin plans to construct a new bridge between downtown and Wheeling Island to replace the access … for the same reasons listed above.
Sincerely,
Trapped on Wheeling Island
