Photo by Eric Ayres

Replacement of the Washington Avenue Bridge in Wheeling is reaching a pivotal point this week as crews are preparing to install steel beams for the new bridge over Wheeling Creek. On Monday night, several flatbed trucks delivered components for the huge crane that will place the beams, which will begin to be delivered to the work site on Wednesday. Delivery of the steel beams and heavy equipment is taking place after 8 p.m. each night this week, and traffic delays are expected along Washington Avenue during the deliveries. The West Virginia Department of Transportation awarded a $5,342,000 contract to Charles J. Merlo Inc. of Mineral Point, Pa., for the project, which is on schedule to be completed by October.