Photo by Casey Junkins

WHEELING — As it is more than 160 years old, the Wheeling Suspension Bridge often requires care that more recent spans do not, while the West Virginia Division of Culture and History must agree to any major renovation of the National Historic Landmark.

Meanwhile, West Virginia Division of Highways District 6 Engineer Gus Suwaid said his department continues seeking options for the Aetnaville Bridge which connects the north end of Wheeling Island to Ohio. This span closed to vehicular traffic 30 years ago, but remained open for pedestrian and bicyclists until early 2016.

Nearly two years ago, Suwaid presented a proposed $9 million rehabilitation project for the Suspension Bridge, which connects 10th Street in downtown to Virginia Street on Wheeling Island. This happened shortly after the bridge had to be closed a couple of times because of damage sustained when overweight buses crossed it.

However, Suwaid said Thursday during the Wheeling Heritage Preservation Forum that he does not expect any significant work on the historic span until at least 2019. He said any work will also have to receive approval of the State Historic Preservation Office, which is part of the Division of Culture and History.

“Rehabbing a historic legacy bridge is so complicated. Any kind of improvement my be approved by the SHPO,” he said.

On Friday, state officials closed the bridge for a few hours to repair a cracked concrete curb. Every so often, a vehicle that exceeds the posted height limit will damage some of the above signage, which requires that workers close it for those repairs.

Overall, Suwaid said the bridge is in fairly good condition, considering its age. He said there is “some rust” around the bridge cables that will need to eventually be addressed. A visual inspection of some of the bolts on the bridge also shows some slight decay.

As for the Aetnaville Bridge, Suwaid said state officials continue seeking options for the span which closed to any and all traffic two years ago. At that time, the DOH said the bridge was simply not safe for use.

This bridge crosses the back channel of the Ohio River between Wheeling Island and the portion of Bridgeport locally referred to as Aetnaville. There are now barricades and chains in place to prevent pedestrians and bicyclists from using it.

“We are in the process of arranging a public meeting to discuss the options,” he said.

Yet another structure Suwaid keeps his eyes on is the Monument Place Bridge, which carries U.S. 40 across Wheeling Creek in Elm Grove. According to the division, this bridge is now more than 200 years old, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

“That is under design,” Suwaid said of renovations for this bridge. “We’re probably looking at 2020 on that one.”