Editor, News-Register:

Following the extensive repair work recently completed on the historically iconic Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the West Virginia Division of Highways has determined that the wonderful structure – which was originally opened in 1849 and became known as the “Gateway to the West” and has been officially recognized as the oldest working vehicular suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere, from 1980 until its closure to vehicular traffic in September 2019 – is no longer safe for vehicular and traffic and will be available for pedestrian use exclusively.

However, there remains another area historic bridge, namely the Aetnaville Bridge, also known as the Georgia Street Bridge, which was erected in 1891 and connects Wheeling Island, West Virginia, with Aetnaville, Ohio, across the Ohio River.

Some time ago, it had been announced that the Aetnaville Bridge had been scheduled for demolition, which was reported to begin circa July 2025. However, to date, no such work has taken place, nor am I aware of any specifics as to what those respective plans may now be.

The Aetnaville Bridge, which also is historically iconic, was opened in 1891 and built to accommodate horse and wagon traffic and the like, but successfully transitioned into being able to later accommodate vehicular traffic, which it had done until its closure to motor vehicles in 1988. However, the bridge did continue to permit pedestrian traffic until 2016

Unfortunately, it appears that the Aetnaville Bridge has sadly been determined to be beyond repair and will eventually be demolished. In retrospect, perhaps if repair work had been performed on the Aetnaville Bridge upon its closure to vehicular traffic in 1988 the historic bridge could at least have been saved to accommodate pedestrian traffic.

If the Aetnaville Bridge is to be demolished, as that certainly appears to be the case, perhaps it can be replaced by a foot bridge. In addition, if or when the Aetnaville Bridge is to be demolished, I would like to respectfully request that plaques be placed on both the Ohio and West Virginia sides of the one time historic structure in order to appropriately honor the iconic bridge for its many years of service to the people of the Ohio Valley.

Richard Hord

Martins Ferry