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Inspection Reveals Damage to Market Street Bridge in Downtown Wheeling

photo by: Photo by Shelley Hanson

People walk across the Market Street Bridge on Friday in Wheeling. The bridge remains closed to motor vehicle traffic following a recent inspection by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

WHEELING – An inspection of the Market Street Bridge revealed about as much fire damage as anticipated, said West Virginia Division of Highways District 6 Engineer Tony Clark.

The fire-charred remains of a homeless encampment that was underneath the bridge were removed recently by a contractor.

With the removal of the debris, DOH bridge inspectors were then free to inspect the damage done to the bridge by the blaze.

“It has been inspected and there is some damage. … There is damage to the deck. We’re still working on what plans are needed for those repairs,” he said.

Clark said the damage was not necessarily worse than first expected. There is some damage to the bridge deck.

photo by: Photo by Shelley Hanson

A “State Property, No Trespassing” sign is posted beside the Market Street Bridge on Friday in Wheeling. The bridge was damaged by a fire and must undergo repairs.

“It’s about as bad as we thought it was going to be,” Clark said.

He added he does not yet know when the plan will be finalized for repairs.

“We’re still working on it. It’s tough to say,” he said.

In the meantime, the bridge will remain closed to vehicle traffic. Pedestrians are still being permitted to walk across the bridge, and can be seen doing so everyday. People can often be seen walking across the bridge for exercise, while walking their dogs or just using the span to get from Point A to Point B.

The fire occurred the night of June 7. Officials believe the fire started in a homeless encampment that was situated underneath the bridge. The Wheeling Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Investigation has been investigating the blaze. They have been trying to discover who was under the bridge at the time.

photo by: Photo by Shelley Hanson

A man rides an electric wheelchair across the Market Street Bridge on Friday in Wheeling. The bridge remains closed to motor vehicle traffic following a recent inspection by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

Spokesman Philip Stahl said previously the fire department’s two full-time fire investigators have the authority to arrest suspects if a fire is determined to be a criminal act. They work in conjunction with the Wheeling Police Department and Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office.

Those who have any information regarding who may have been under the bridge can call the WFD’s Bureau of Fire Investigations at 304-234-3770.

While the bridge remains closed, motorists are asked to use the Main or Chapline Street bridges.

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