Editor, News-Register:

Although I must admit that I am a bit disappointed that the historically iconic Wheeling Suspension Bridge will remain permanently closed to vehicular traffic, it will nonetheless continue as a pedestrian bridge, as recently announced by the West Virginia Division of Highways. However, it does appear quite evident that every effort was made to attempt to make the suspension bridge open once again to vehicular traffic, as a reported $17.9 million was spent to rehabilitate the bridge.

But after completion, in spite of all the excellent work performed to resurrect the historic structure, it has been determined that the Suspension Bridge would simply not be safe if it were reopened to vehicular traffic.

Keep in mind that the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which connects the City of Wheeling proper with Wheeling Island, is 1,010 feet in length, was opened in 1849 at a then cost of $250,000 and was constructed to primarily accommodate horse-drawn wagons and the like, which was the primary mode of transportation during that period, under this supervision of legendary bridge builder Charles Elliot Jr,

The Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which officially had been listed as the oldest working bridge in the Western Hemisphere from 1980 until its closing to vehicular traffic in September 2019, was officially inducted into the National Registry of Historic Places in 1970, as well as being selected as an official national historic landmark in 1975 . It has long been referred to as the Gateway to the West.

The Suspension Bridge will, I believe, become an even more popular tourist attraction in the years to come, following its renovation and continued usage for pedestrian traffic and having the Wheeling Gateway Visitors Center relocating to an area near the historic structure in the city of Wheeling will also prove to have a very positive effect on area tourism as well.

Richard Hord

Martins Ferry