Topic: Ohio River: Bridge developments and news

[Sherman Cahal]

Simon Willis Bridge (13th Street) --
http://www.bridgestunnels.com/index.php?catid=41

Completed in 1985, the state had envisioned a span over the Ohio River, connecting Ashland, Kentucky to Ohio since the 1970s. Roadway improvement projects from 1971 to 1981 helped fuel support for a new downtown span, rather than one east of the city.

It was repainted in 2006, from a battleship gray colour to blue.

Ben Williamson Bridge (12th Street) --
http://www.bridgestunnels.com/index.php?catid=11

Completed in 1932, the Ben Williamson Bridge was a former toll span over the Ohio River. It was the first fixed span over the river, connecting Ashland, Kentucky to Coal Grove, Ohio. It was rehabilitated in 1995 and will be undergoing a paint job in 2007. The colour will be switching from a battleship gray colour to green.

The twin bridges, separated only one block apart, are being painted to match the city of Ashland's colours. Other enhancement projects, such as exterior lighting, are being planned for both spans.

[GCrites80s]

Does the Williamson Bridge still close when it's cold?

[Sherman Cahal]

Oh no, not at all.

The Ironton-Russell Bridge does when it goes below 15F, IIRC. The metal on the old span becomes quite brittle...

[Sherman Cahal]

Bridge construction delays on Ohio River lead to higher costs
The Associated Press, July 29, 2007

More information --
Pomeroy-Mason Bridge
Former U.S. Grant Bridge
New U.S. Grant Bridge

High river levels, safety-related redesigns, and missing parts have contributed to increased costs and delays on the state of Ohio's two Ohio River bridge building projects.

Because most of the Ohio River belongs to Kentucky and West Virginia, those two states have been responsible for building most bridges across the river. Ohio is a relative newcomer, having awarded its first contract in 2001 to a central Ohio contractor, C.J. Mahan Construction Co. of suburban Grove City. That project, the 2,155-ft. U.S. Grant Bridge between Portsmouth, Ohio and South Shore, Kentucky, was finished more than two years after its scheduled completion. It was supposed to cost $28.4 million, but the two-lane bridge's final cost was $38 million. There were delays in high river levels and design changes, and it had gotten so bad that at one point, angry Portsmouth merchants demanded that ODOT pay for damages regarding the delay. Their push failed.

The state's second project, a two-lane 1,848-ft. span between Mason, West Virginia and Pomeroy, Ohio, began construction in 2003. Work, however, has been on hold for nine months while the builder awaits an important piece of equipment -- a safety-related redesign of a device that supports the bridge's deck as concrete is poured. Construction was supposed to have been complete last year, but work is now not supposed to be done until November 2008. The original price tag of $45.8 million has ballooned to $60 million. There have not been as many complaints, as the existing span is still open and in service.

In comparison, a larger Ohio River bridge project that is being managed by the West Virginia Department of Transportation is close to being finished -- nearly on budget and on time. The four-lane, 4,009-ft. Blennerhasset Bridge will carry U.S. Route 50 and Corridor D between Belpre, Ohio and Parkersburg, West Virginia. Although it had an original cost of $119.9 million and a completion date of September 2007, it will be completed in late November at $122 million.

While Mehan did not have to pay fines for delays on the U.S. Grant Bridge project, it will face fines under the Pomeroy contract.

[urb-a-saurus]

Drove the Blennerhasset bridge coming from Athens to I-77.  Very nice looking structure.  Direct freeway access to I-77 and US-50 toward Clarksburg: priceless!

[Sherman Cahal]

Yes, I drove across it for the first time Saturday and it is a very beautiful structure to drive -- and to admire from a distance. The sheer scale of the span and the tied arch is amazing to say the least.

[Sherman Cahal]

Our Ohio River bridges:
The past, the present, the future
By Dr. John Brown, BHJ Executive Director, September 14, 2008

Photo caption: The Fort Steuben Bridge had served as a main transportation link between Steubenville and Weirton from its opening in 1928 until the nearby Veterans Memorial Bridge opened in May of 1990. The Fort Steuben will be closed by the Ohio Department of Transportation in 2009 and demolished.

here's a quote from essayist George Santayana about history we are all familiar with - "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it." This may hold true; however, the Upper Ohio Valley, as an acknowledged industrial blowtorch for America, would do well to repeat its successful history of bridge and road construction.

For vehicles and pedestrians, the once separated cities of Weirton and Steubenville were linked in 1904 with the construction of the Market Street Bridge. This link and the further growth of the region were reassured in 1928 with the construction of the Fort Steuben Bridge, one mile north of the Market Street Bridge. In 1990, a third bridge, the Veterans Memorial Bridge was added as the first and only multi-lane bridge in the Weirton-Steubenville region.

[Sherman Cahal]

Our Ohio River bridges:
The past, the present, the future
By Dr. John Brown, BHJ Executive Director, September 21, 2008

Photo caption: The Veterans Memorial Bridge, which opened in 1990, soon could be the only road span crossing the Ohio River between East Liverpool and Wheeling, with the planned 2009 demolition of the Fort Steuben Bridge and the eventual closing of the Market Street Bridge. A new bridge, between Brilliant and Wellsburg, is in the planning phase and will be the topic of public workshops Oct. 6, 7 and 8.

Bridges are a lifeline to the growth and long-term success of a region.

Whether it's the Brooklyn Bridge over the Hudson River, the collapsed I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis or the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River connecting Steubenville and Weirton, these mega structures are the working backbone of a region. They determine where we work, how we shop and where we live. They're the reason the frequently heard phrase "the 'Burb of the 'Burgh" exists.

[Sherman Cahal]

Our Ohio River bridges:
The past, the present, the future
By Dr. John Brown, BHJ Executive Director, September 28, 2008

Photo captions: The century-old Market Street Bridge at Steubenville is in its final years as the West Virginia Department of Transportation monitors it to determine how much longer it can remain in service.

The Blennerhassett Island Bridge at Parkersburg was more than 30 years in the making and is a joint project of the Ohio Department of Transportation and WVDOT, and cost more than $135 million.

[Sherman Cahal]

Comment: This article is not really about just Interstate 69, but about the proposed Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority, who would oversee and manage "mega-projects" in the state, such as,
* Interstate 69 bridge over the Ohio between Henderson, Kentucky and Evansville, Indiana,
* Interstate 65 bridge over the Ohio between Louisville, Kentucky and southern Indiana,
* Kennedy/Spaghetti interchange reconstruction, involving Interstates 64, 65 and 71 in Louisville,
* Interstate 265 bridge and tunnel complex between Louisville and southern Indiana and,
* Interstate 71/75 Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio between Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky.

There was a former toll road authority, but the last of the tolls in the state were retired several years. Personally, I have voiced support for the tolling of such mega projects wherever feasible.

I-69 bridge funds bill pre-filed
By Chuck Stinnett, The Gleaner, November 24, 2008

State Sen. Dorsey Ridley and another legislator are pushing for legislation that could provide a means for financing the proposed Interstate 69 bridge between Henderson and Evansville.

The bill, called BR12 and pre-filed Monday by Ridley (D-Henderson) and Henderson native Sen. Jerry Rhoads (D-Madisonville), would establish an 11-person Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority.

[Sherman Cahal]

Council wants to save bridge
By Warren Scott, Herald-Star, December 2, 2008

FOLLANSBEE - City Council is expected next week to consider a resolution urging the West Virginia Department of Transportation to preserve the Market Street Bridge.

State highway officials haven't announced specific plans to close the 104-year-old span but have said they expect it to be replaced by a proposed Ohio River bridge connecting areas south of Wellsburg and near Brilliant some time in the future.

[Sherman Cahal]

Key: While there will be money taken away from the Interstate 65 bridge dualization project, it is because there are federal mandates to have a pedestrian appendage from the new interstate highway span. The cost to renovate the Big Four Bridge are half what it would cost to construct sidewalks on the new Interstate 65 span, and it will still meet the federal requirements.

Big Four Bridge project gets boost
Tourism bureau gives $160,000
By Ben Zion Hershberg, Courier-Journal.com, December 6, 2008

A Southern Indiana organization formed to promote regional tourism yesterday gave a financial boost to the Big Four Bridge's planned pedestrian ramp, which is expected to become a major visitor attraction.

The Clark-Floyd Convention and Tourism Bureau presented Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan a $160,000 check that he can use as matching funds for a $1 million state and federal grant for the ramp's design and initial construction.

[Sherman Cahal]

Market Bridge Becomes Priority
Fort Steuben Bridge’s closing calls attention to remaining spans
By Joselyn King, The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register, January 20, 2009

WELLSBURG - The Fort Steuben Bridge closed sooner than expected, and now local lawmakers on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River are speeding up their efforts to keep the Market Street Bridge open for at least another decade.

That is because Brooke County residents have one less way to travel outside their community, noted Delegate Tim Ennis, D-Brooke. If the Market Street Bridge were to be closed, the county then would be without two of its three bridges.

[Sherman Cahal]

Purple People Bridge: Do you care?
By Mike Rutledge, Kentucky Enquirer, February 24, 2009

NEWPORT - Do you love the Purple People Bridge, or could you live without it?

That's what operators of the Ohio River span that links Newport with Cincinnati want to know. They've posted a survey at www.purplepeoplebridge.com and hope you will fill it out, even if you've never walked on the pedestrian bridge.

"We're trying to find out how people use the bridge, and what's their perception of the bridge," said Lisa Raterman, a member of a publicity committee for the span that once was the drab, rusting L&N Bridge, which once carried railroads and automobiles.

[oakiehigh]

I wish they would allow more local bands when the weather is nicer.  Something to attract a small crowd, yet allow pedestrian traffic still.   It would add so much more life to the entire thing.

[Sherman Cahal]

House approves bill to create bridge, road authorities
The Gleaner, March 10, 2009

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — House lawmakers have approved legislation that would create state and local transportation authorities to oversee the construction of Kentucky’s most expensive roads and bridges.

The House voted 67-23 on Monday to approve the measure that opens the way for the creation of tolls to pay for construction.

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I-69 bridge tolls possible in bill passed by House
By Chuck Stinnett, Courier-Press, March 10, 2009

The state House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill that would enable tolls to be collected on an Interstate 69 bridge here and other bridges across the Ohio River.

Now, the matter goes to the state Senate, and Sen. Dorsey Ridley of Henderson is optimistic of passage there.

[Sherman Cahal]

Thanks to Ink for the heads-up. I may be in the area Monday, and will snap some updated photographs. Here is my article with some older photos --
http://bridgestunnels.com/index.php?catid=10

Wheeling span to be demolished
AP May 23, 2010

WHEELING, W.Va. -- The long-closed Bellaire Toll Bridge is being blown up.

Bridge owner Roger Barack says he has sold the 84-year-old span to Eric Kelly, operator of Advanced Explosives Demolition Inc., a company recognized for its television show called "The Imploders." The price wasn't revealed.