Veterans Memorial (Weirton-Steubenville)
Veterans Memorial Bridge (US 22)
Spanning the Ohio River to connect Weirton, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio, the Veterans Memorial Bridge is a signature cable-stayed structure. Carrying US 22, this bridge is a monolith of both concrete and steel, strategically combining the strengths of both materials to support a vital interstate corridor.
A Legacy of Development
The bridge’s journey from conception to completion spanned three decades. After facing numerous delays due to environmental policy shifts, design modifications, and the complexities of multi-state funding, the project ultimately secured its $70 million budget through a combination of state and federal aid.
- Long-Term Planning: Initial engineering reports began in 1961 for Ohio and 1964 for West Virginia.
- Overcoming Delays: Construction was preceded by extensive environmental impact statements and a transition from toll to public financing in the late 1970s.
- Opening Milestone: The bridge was officially opened to traffic on May 1, 1990, by the governors of West Virginia and Ohio.
Technical Specifications and Engineering
Designed by Michael Baker and constructed by several major firms, the bridge features a segmentally constructed deck and a single, massive supporting tower.
| Specification | Technical Detail |
|---|---|
| Bridge Type | Cable-stayed (Steel Girders and Concrete) |
| Main Tower Height | 360-foot inverted Y-shaped concrete tower |
| Lanes | Six 12-foot lanes |
| Spans | 690-foot WV back span | 820-foot main river span |
| Cable Details | 26 paired cables; longest measuring 800 feet |
| Materials | 9 million lbs structural steel | 15,000 cubic yards concrete |
Regional Infrastructure Integration
In 1993, the US 22 expressway was further upgraded to connect the bridge to the Pennsylvania state line. Supported by $42.5 million in funding facilitated by Senator Robert C. Byrd, the total cost for the 4.5-mile roadway and the Veterans Memorial Bridge exceeded $125 million, making it one of the state's most significant infrastructure investments.
Global Rankings and Notable WV Bridges
The Veterans Memorial Bridge remains a high-ranking structure in the National Steel Bridge Alliance's records. It is part of an elite group of West Virginia bridges recognized for their engineering excellence.
- Veterans Memorial Bridge: Ranked among the world's longest cable-stayed bridge spans.
- Chester-Liverpool Bridge: 2nd place under simple trusses.
- I-77 Williamstown-Marietta Bridge: 8th place under simple trusses (North America's largest Pennsylvania petit truss).
- William S. Ritchie (Ravenswood) Bridge: Number 7 among continuous trusses.
- I-64 Dunbar-South Charleston Bridge: Recognized among the world's top continuous box plate girders.
Accessibility Statement:
The West Virginia Department of Transportation will, upon request, provide reasonable accommodations including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in our services, programs and activities. Please contact us at (304) 558-3931. Persons with hearing or speech impairments can reach all state agencies by calling (800) 982-8772 (voice to TDD) or (800) 982-8771 (TDD to voice), toll free.
