Trending
Brooke County public officials have a tall task ahead -- securing the future of the Market Street Bridge linking Follansbee and Steubenville. The 117-year-old span is coming under increased scrutiny from the West Virginia Division of Highways, which in recent months had lowered the weight limit and the size of vehicles that can safely traverse the span.
The Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission is seeking federal assistance to renovate the bridge. That's the right move -- particularly given the infrastructure funding still available. Closing the span would impact both Follansbee and Steubenville.
The argument can be made that there's a new bridge just south of that span, and also the Veterans Memorial Bridge to the north. That's all well and good, but if the Market Street Bridge were to close, significant time would be added to a trip from Follansbee to Steubenville. Figure out how to keep the span open.