NEW SPAN VIEWED — Members of the Jefferson County and Follansbee chambers of commerce and guests recently got a closer look at the new Ohio River bridge while enjoying a cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper. Gov. Jim Justice has announced a ribbon cutting will be held at noon Sept. 20 for the span, which will link Brilliant and an area just south of Wellsburg. -- Ross Gallabrese

WELLSBURG — When the new Ohio River bridge opens on Sept. 20, it will appear much like a street fair, with live music, food vendors and a classic car cruise.

That’s because the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce has been working with others to plan a celebration around the noon ribbon cutting by Gov. Jim Justice and others that day.

Dan Otto, the chamber’s president, confirmed members of the group have been meeting since May with state and local officials from both sides of the river to plan the event.

Otto said the task has been both fun and challenging as the target date was uncertain for much of the time.

And there still are a few details to be worked out.

Jeffrey Crook, superintendent of Brooke County Schools, was asked about rumors Brooke County schools will be closed on that day and local school buses will be available for spectators to ride to the bridge.

Crook said those details have been discussed but not finalized and are likely to be discussed at the school board’s next regular meeting Monday.

He confirmed the Brooke High School Band and Choir are set to perform around the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Otto said plans call for rides to be offered, whether by the school district or a public transportation service, from two parking areas to be designated in Wellsburg and Beech Bottom.

He said attendees are expected to find about 150 classic cars parked on the span, through the efforts of the Osiris Shrine Car Club and the Northern Panhandle Region Antique Automobile Club of America; while music will be provided by a disc jockey in the morning and local bands Poor Man’s Heaven and The Next in the afternoon.

“We’re just glad to be able to pull people together for this historic event,” said Otto.

The festivities are expected to extend from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day. It’s not clear if the bridge will be opened to traffic that evening or the following day.

Wells Township Police Chief Sean Norman said in recent days, he’s seen much activity among crews working at the span’s Ohio approach in Brilliant.

Wells Township Trustee J.J. Kamerer noted traffic signals have been installed at the intersection of Third and Cleaver streets but are bagged.

The span and its approaches extend 1,800 feet across the river, linking West Virginia Route 2 about a mile south of Wellsburg to the intersection and nearby Ohio Route 7.

West Virginia highway officials have estimated about 3,000 vehicles will cross it each day.

The $131 million project has included the expansion of Route 2 toward the river through the addition of a half-mile long retaining wall along it. The move was suggested by Flatiron Construction, the Broomfield, Colo.-based contractor for the project, as a less costly alternative to excavating the hillside above the highway.

Flatiron partnered with engineers with RS&H of Toledo and COWI of New York in planning the 60-foot-wide span, which will include one lane each for westbound and eastbound traffic and a bicycle lane leading to the Brooke County Pioneer Trail below.

Officials have announced a paved link to the trail, which was established on a former railroad bed overlooking the river, isn’t expected to be completed until November.

Asked if the bridge will boost the local economy, Otto said, “It already has. There have been businesses opening in anticipation of it and others expressing interest in opening here.”

Brooke County Commissioner A.J. Thomas said there’s much developable land along Route 2 in the Beech Bottom area as well as unoccupied space in the Beech Bottom Industrial Park.

Kamerer said he expects the span to benefit residents and businesses in Brilliant and surrounding areas in the township.

Kamerer said the bridge’s construction has spurred real estate investment, with some buildings purchased and some demolished to prepare for future businesses.

He added the township trustees and local police will be moving into the former Buckeye North Elementary School and plan to rent space there.

“We’re very excited about it (the bridge) and looking forward to working with officials in Brooke County,” said Kamerer.

In addition to easing the flow of traffic at the southern ends of the two counties, the bridge has been seen as an emergency detour in the event rockslides along state Routes 2 and 7 would cause either highway to be temporarily closed, as they have in the past.

Norman noted the new transportation artery also opens opportunities for mutual aid among emergency departments in the two areas, and legal representatives for agencies on both sides of the river are in talks for agreements.