Aetnaville Bridge

The Aetnaville Bridge is a through truss bridge spanning the back channel of the Ohio River between Bridgeport, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia. The bridge was built in December 1891 and used for vehicular traffic until December 1988, when it was closed to cars due to safety concerns. The structure was used by pedestrians until its complete closure in 2016.

Aetnaville Bridge
View of bridge from Ohio end
Coordinates 40°04′48″N 80°44′13″W
CrossesBack channel of the Ohio River
LocaleWheeling, West Virginia
Characteristics
DesignPin-connected Pennsylvania through truss;[1] Parker truss configuration[2]
Materialsteel
Total length440 feet (130 m)
Longest span110 feet (34 m)
No. of spans4 spans
History
DesignerWrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio[2]
Construction start1890[1]
Construction end1891[1]
Closed1988
Statistics
Daily trafficpedestrian only
Aetnaville Bridge
Coordinates40°4′48.118″N 80°44′12.5118″W
Part ofWheeling Island Historic District (ID92000320[3])
Designated CPApril 2, 1992

The bridge was once a trolley bridge long ago. The bridge is now used mostly as a way for pedestrians, bicyclists, and joggers, to cross without having to go all the way around to the new Bridgeport Bridge.[4] The bridge was closed from October 19 to 23, 2015, to be evaluated for safety. Local residents are fighting to save this bridge, because it is a popular pedestrian footwalk, and part of a proposed bicycle and jogging trail.[5] As of January 20, 2016, there have been metal fences barricading the bridge pending further decision-making as to how to proceed with possible repairs .

See also

References
  1. Historic Bridges of the United States
  2. "Historic Bridges". Archived from the original on 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  3. "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  4. Connors, Fred (September 13, 2011). Bridge Comes Tumbling Down. Wheeling News-Register. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  5. http://www.wtrf.com/story/27359734/group-fighting-to-save-aetnaville-bridge-from-demolition

Media related to Aetnaville Bridge (Wheeling, WV) at Wikimedia Commons

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