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WHEELING -- Inspection crews are taking a much closer look at the Wheeling Suspension Bridge this week after a charter bus far in excess of the span's 2-ton weight limit crossed the national landmark Saturday, causing police to close the structure to vehicular traffic indefinitely.
West Virginia Division of Highways District Bridge Engineer Patrick Gurrer, who walked across the structure Monday morning with crews from HDR Engineering Inc. of Weirton, said the DOH is taking safety precautions by having bridge consultants look over the structure again this week following the bus incident. While "Road Closed" signs and orange traffic cones block both road entrances to the bridge, pedestrian and bicycle traffic is still permitted to travel across the span.
"We have consultants inspect this bridge every year. They were just here a couple of weeks ago. We just had an event that happened … and we just want them (engineers) to come look at it again so if there has been any change they will be able to know," Gurrer said, adding they plan to examine the entire structure.
The span was closed to vehicular traffic Saturday after a Pennsylvania-based Lenzner Tour and Travel/Coach USA bus crossed the historic structure around 6:45 p.m.
Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation indicates that a loaded bus of that size may weigh up to 20 tons, which far exceeds the span's 2-ton weight limit.
The unidentified driver of the bus was cited by Wheeling police for driving an overweight vehicle across the structure and failure to maintain a traffic control device, according to Philip Stahl, public information officer for the Wheeling Police Department. Officials with Lenzner Tour and Travel/Coach USA were unable to be reached for comment Monday. The bridge will remain closed until inspectors can ensure the bridge is structurally sound, according to Stahl.
Martins Ferry resident Richard Hord, who was spotted walking across the bridge Monday, said the span is such a historical structure and it is a "shame" the bus incident happened over the weekend.
"It is very scenic. … Can you imagine the number of people who have walked across or ridden across -- so many over the 170 years," Hord commented. "It's just incredible. It is such a treasure."
The bridge has long been plagued by closures due to overweight vehicles crossing. In 2016, Wheeling police led an information campaign to advise residents of a heavyweight fine of up to $1,600 and possible impoundment for violating the bridge's weight limit. The bridge has also been occasionally closed due to traffic accidents.