The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) invite the public to a meeting regarding a proposed four-lane US 33 crossing of the Ohio River between Ohio and West Virginia.
The Existing Bridge
The two-lane William S. Ritchie, Jr. Bridge (Ravenswood Bridge) stretches across the Ohio River and connects Ravenswood, West Virginia and Meigs County, Ohio.
The US 33 approach roadway in Ohio is in direct alignment with the bridge. In West Virginia, traffic comes from an Interstate 77 interchange and then travels 2.3 miles on a four-lane roadway to a traffic light-controlled intersection. US 33 traffic then turns and travels 0.4 miles to an intersection with the bridge approach. A quadrant ramp then brings US 33 traffic to the bridge.
The Study
ODOT and consultants are currently studying alternatives to provide a four-lane US 33 crossing of the Ohio River between Ohio and West Virginia. US 33 is the direct route between Columbus, Ohio and Charleston, West Virginia and the southeastern U.S. via the connection with Interstate 77 at Ravenswood. Transport Ohio (Ohio's Freight Plan) places US 33 between Columbus and the Ohio River in the highest category of truck traffic growth (more than 500 additional trucks per day) for 2045.
ODOT is advancing a series of projects on the US 33 corridor between Columbus and the Ohio River to improve safety and efficiency. This includes a project starting in summer 2025 which will convert the last 25.6 miles of two-lane highway to four lanes between Columbus and the Ohio River. This conversion to four lanes is planned for Athens and Meigs Counties and will bring a four-lane highway to the foot of the William S. Ritchie, Jr. Bridge.
ODOT believes providing a four-lane US 33 crossing of the Ohio River between Ohio and West Virginia will improve safety and ensure this corridor is positioned for the future.
The Public Meeting
A public meeting will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Ravenswood City Hall, located at 1 Wall Street, Ravenswood, West Virginia.
Additional information can be found on the project page on ODOT's website.