WHEELING, W.VA. – After about 10 months of construction, the wait is almost over for motorists who have missed traveling across the Washington Avenue Bridge.
The City of Wheeling will host a community celebration from 3 – 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, on the bridge to mark the completion of the reconstruction project and celebrate the span’s return to service. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m., with the Washington Avenue Bridge officially reopening to traffic immediately following the festivities.
The event will offer something for the entire family, including food trucks, a kids’ zone featuring a face painter, a balloon artist and more, and live entertainment from Libby Adams who will open for Punching Oswald. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Adult beverages will be available for purchase with a credit or debit card. Members of the Wheeling Park High School marching band will join in the celebration as well.
Wheeling University, 316 Washington Ave., has made the parking lot at the McDonough Center available for those attending the celebration. Visitors should enter the campus through the main gate and follow the posted signs. Additional parking will be available at the St. Michael Angelus Center, 1225 National Road.
“We are very pleased to see the Washington Avenue Bridge reopen and this important connection restored for our residents. We are especially mindful of the workers who were injured during this project, and we wish them continued recovery. We also appreciate the patience of the residents, community and businesses who have been impacted by the closure,” said Ward 4 Councilor Jerry Sklavounakis.
“The Washington Avenue Bridge is such an important artery for our City, and I don’t think you fully realize how much people depend on it until it’s closed. For the residents who use it every day, this reopening is a big deal, but I’m especially happy for the businesses along Washington Avenue and National Road. They’ve had to weather two separate closures over the last several years, and there’s no question that it’s had an impact on them. I really appreciate their patience through all of it. After nearly a year of this latest closure, I think it’s only fitting that we get the community together, have a little fun and celebrate finally getting our bridge back,” said Ward 5 Councilor Ty Thorngate.
The celebration will be held rain or shine.
