Aetnaville Bridge

Bridge in Wheeling, West Virginia

40°04′48″N 80°44′13″W / 40.08°N 80.737°W / 40.08; -80.737CrossesBack channel of the Ohio RiverLocaleWheeling, West VirginiaCharacteristicsDesignPin-connected Pennsylvania through truss;^[1] Parker truss configuration^[2]MaterialSteelTotal length440 feet (130 m)Longest span110 feet (34 m)No. of spans4 spansHistoryDesignerWrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio^[2]Construction start1890^[1]Construction end1891^[1]Closed1988StatisticsDaily trafficpedestrian only

Aetnaville Bridge

U.S. Historic district
Contributing property

Show map of West Virginia

Show map of the United States

Coordinates40°4′48.118″N 80°44′12.5118″W / 40.08003278°N 80.736808833°W / 40.08003278; -80.736808833Part ofWheeling Island Historic District (ID92000320^[3])Designated CPApril 2, 1992 Location Map

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.

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 .

References

^ ^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.