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 / 40.08°N 80.737°W |
| Crosses | Back channel of the Ohio River |
| Locale | Wheeling, West Virginia |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Pin-connected Pennsylvania through truss;[1] Parker truss configuration[2] |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 440 feet (130 m) |
| Longest span | 110 feet (34 m) |
| No. of spans | 4 spans |
| History | |
| Designer | Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio[2] |
| Construction start | 1890[1] |
| Construction end | 1891[1] |
| Closed | 1988 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | pedestrian only |
Aetnaville Bridge | |
   | |
| Coordinates | 40°4′48.118″N 80°44′12.5118″W / 40.08003278°N 80.736808833°W |
| Part of | Wheeling Island Historic District (ID92000320[3]) |
| Designated CP | April 2, 1992 |
| Location | |
 | |
During the late 1800's and early 1900's, the bridge was used for streetcars until service ceased in 1937.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Historic Bridges of the United States
- ^ a b "Historic Bridges". Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
- ^ "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
- ^ "Aetnaville Bridge - Bridges and Tunnels". Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ Connors, Fred (September 13, 2011). Bridge Comes Tumbling Down. Wheeling News-Register. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ "Group Fighting to Save Aetnaville Bridge from Demolition". November 12, 2014.
External links
edit
Media related to Aetnaville Bridge (Wheeling, WV) at Wikimedia Commons
- Aetnaville Bridge at Bridges & Tunnels
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