Festivities in the Works for Wellsburg Bridge Opening; Completion Date Remains Unknown
Kim North Trending
WELLSBURG -- While a precise date for the opening of the new bridge set to span the Ohio River between an area south of Wellsburg and Brilliant hasn't been nailed down, plans are being made for when the day finally arrives.
Community representatives from both West Virginia and Ohio gathered at the bridge Tuesday, meeting with officials from the West Virginia Department of Transportation to learn more about the completion of the span and discuss opportunities to celebrate the opening.
It was just the latest in a series of planning sessions, according to Tresa Thomas, secretary of the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
"We've been meeting once a month," she explained, noting she has been told WVDOT still hopes to have the bridge ready the first or second week of September.
In addition to the official opening ceremony, Thomas said there are plans for a car cruise with the Northern Panhandle Regional Antique Car Club, with cars set up on the bridge and special, commemorative dash plaques.
High school bands from both sides of the river have begun working together for a combined performance, and fire departments have discussed the possibility of a water brigade. Transportation to and from the bridge site also is being discussed.
Under the direction of the Flatiron Corp., the estimated $131 million project has been under active construction over the last few years, with the 830-foot-long main span built in an area just south of Wellsburg and then floated down the river to its planned site in April 2021.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the bridge was held in 2018.