An estimated 2,500 people gathered on the newly completed Wellsburg Bridge connecting Wellsburg, West Virginia with Brilliant, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 21, 2023.
| "This is an incredible day for both Wellsburg and Brilliant because we are finally opening a bridge connecting these two communities that is long overdue," said Gov. Jim Justice. "This bridge is going to make life better for everyone who travels through West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle.” |
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| Flatiron Construction, headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, was awarded an approximately $131 million contract for construction of the new bridge. The 830-foot main span of the bridge was built off-site on the bank of the Ohio River just upstream from the bridge site, floated into place and lifted onto its pilings in April 2021. |
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Citizens on both sides of the Ohio River had been pushing for a bridge in the Wellsburg area for 100 years.
"Once again, the Governor here is to cut a ribbon on a project that has lingered and lingered and lingered," said West Virginia Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston, P.E. “In 2016, we elected the most dynamic governor in our state's history, who had a vision to put transportation at the forefront of our economic recovery. He is a Governor who is transforming our economy, diversifying our economy, and building the infrastructure that West Virginians and Ohioans deserve and appreciate."
Daylong festivities celebrating the opening of the bridge included a car show, food trucks, marching bands, choral groups, and live music.
Construction of the new bridge cuts what used to be a 40-minute drive to the nearest bridge across the Ohio River to a five-minute trip. That’s a huge deal to local residents.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the northern panhandle,” said Barbara Miller, of Windsor Heights, West Virginia. “We’ll use this bridge to go to the malls more easily.
“My granddaughter recently got a job in Steubenville, Ohio, so I am really happy she’ll be able to use this bridge every day and shorten her route,” Miller said.
