The future of the Suspension Bridge is still uncertain | News, Sports, Jobs

Photo by Eric Ayres As Raze International demolition crews continue to remove the former Wheeling Inn to make way for the proposed Wheeling Gateway Visitor and Heritage Center, a new view of the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge along Main Street is coming into focus. West Virginia Department of Highways officials said the bridge’s load analysis data will be reviewed at the end of this year and a final decision will be made on whether the repaired bridge will be reopened to vehicular traffic.

WHEELING — Most of the work on the $17.9 million rehabilitation project of the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge has been completed, but a final decision on the bridge’s future has not yet been made.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation contractor completed bridge replacement work earlier this year. Local officials were hopeful that the state’s significant investment in the landmark would result in its reopening to vehicular traffic for the first time in years once the rehabilitation is completed.

Earlier this year, after WVDOT Secretary Jimmy Bilekon publicly touted days of reduced vehicle traffic on the Suspension Bridge, stocks fell in hopes of a return to past glories. “Probably passed” However, no official statement was made by state officials regarding the future of the bridge.

However, this fall, representatives of the West Virginia Department of Highways noted that although rehabilitation work was largely completed, a load rating analysis of the Suspension Bridge had not yet been completed. In fact, the review of load rating data is not expected to occur until the end of this year.

Transportation Public Information Specialist Jake Flatley, speaking on behalf of WVDOH Region 6 engineers, noted that regardless of the situation regarding load limits on the bridge, the adjacent demolition of the former Wheeling Inn would in itself prohibit the opening of the short section of 10th Avenue from 10th Avenue. Suspension Bridge and Main Street.

In the summer of 2021, WVDOH and Governor Jim Justice’s office announced that a contract was awarded to Advantage Steel & Construction LLC for $17,907,147 for the rehabilitation of the Suspension Bridge’s superstructure and infrastructure. The 175-year-old structure was originally planned to be completed in summer 2023, but supply chain issues and some additional unforeseen work reportedly delayed the project.

Crews from Advantage Steel began completing the work last spring, when new lights along the cables and towers were first illuminated.

“The project is substantially complete and final inspection was conducted on August 15, although a small deficiencies list is still in progress.” Flatley said. “Additionally, the closure of 10th Street will continue due to the adjacent Wheeling Inn demolition project. WVDOH will monitor the bridge during demolition.”

In fact, vibration monitoring equipment was installed on the bridge as Raze International crews continued demolition of the former Wheeling Inn at the corner of Main and 10th streets; the area is being cleared for the planned Wheeling Gateway Visitors and Heritage Center. The proposed $18 million center is designed to highlight the city’s historic Suspension Bridge as a landmark and a true gateway to the west.

A new view of the Suspension Bridge from Main Street has come into focus in recent weeks as Raze crews continue to remove, piece by piece, the old hotel that has blocked scenic views of the historic landmark for decades.

Final reviews of load rating data on the Suspension Bridge are not expected to occur until the bulk of the demolition work is completed.

“The consultant audit firm completed the field audit on June 7, 2024.” Flatley said. “The inspection report was completed and reviewed on September 9, 2024. The consultant is in the process of performing a load rating analysis. All updates to the load rating are expected to be provided to WVDOH by the end of the 2024 calendar year. Once completed, WVDOH will review the load rating analysis.”

Since September 2019, the Wheeled Suspension Bridge has remained closed to vehicular traffic due to an oversized vehicle damaging the span. Structural concerns have previously led to a series of temporary closures as large-sized vehicles such as commercial buses run over suspended barriers and load limit signs. Weight limit violations led to a series of closures and inspections before the closure and eventual rehabilitation project in 2019.

Construction of the Suspension Bridge began in 1847 and the span of the bridge was opened in 1849. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Advantage Steel & Construction has reported details of the work it has carried out on the bridge over the past few years. Crews meticulously removed and replaced each of the 72 existing support cables, 31 backstay cables, and 12 sway cables. The team identified severe corrosion at one of the bridge’s main structural anchor points, which required replacement.

After the structural works were completed, the bridge was painted and a new lighting system was installed. The contractor stated that the teams in the rehabilitation have made great efforts to make the bridge structurally sound and aesthetically appealing, while preserving the appeal of its magnificent historical character.