ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY — The new Ohio River bridge between Brilliant and state Route 2 near Wellsburg, which opened one year ago today, is one of 12 finalists in a national competition for the best major transportation project. The West Virginia Division of Highways is encouraging everyone to cast an online vote for the span for the contest’s People’s Choice Award. -- Warren Scott

Many gathered on the new Ohio River bridge to celebrate its opening a year ago today, and everyone can celebrate its anniversary by casting an online vote for the span in a national competition.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation has announced the bridge, which links Brilliant and state Route 2 near Wellsburg, has been named one of 12 finalists for America’s Transportation Award, an honor bestowed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

State highway officials said the span also is up for the organization’s People’s Choice Award, for which everyone may cast votes up to 11:59 p.m. Oct. 29.

They added voters may vote once each day up to that time by visiting https://americastransportationawards.org/west-virginia-department-of-transportations-wellsburg-bridge/

Dubbed the Wellsburg Bridge for the entirety of its construction, the 1,875-foot-long span was a $141 million project undertaken by Flatiron Construction of Broomfield, Colorado.

It drew many spectators not only for its grand opening but also for the transport of its 4,100-ton main span.

Built in an assembly yard along the Ohio River near the Wellsburg Smith Oil station, the main span was carried down river with two sets of barges and slowly lifted by hydraulic jacks to the bridge’s piers at its present site.

Residents gathered on both sides of the river on April 26, 2021, to observe phases of the operation, which took more than 13 hours.

Many others accepted an invitation to walk the span during the Sept. 20, 2023, grand opening attended by federal, state and local officials. Festivities included a car show, performances by the marching bands of Brooke and Buckeye Local high schools and fireworks.

One of many speakers for the event, Gov. Jim Justice said, “This bridge is going to make life better for everyone who travels through West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. This is truly an incredible day, and I’m proud to see another bridge project cross the finish line.”

The need for a new Ohio River crossing and its future location were determined through two studies commissioned by the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission.

The first study noted the advancing age of the Fort Steuben and Market Street bridges, both since closed, and distance from another crossing should the newer Veterans Memorial Bridge be closed or affected by a major accident.

The second study suggested its future location, citing the recurrence of rock slides along areas of West Virginia Route 2 and Ohio Route 7 that have resulted in the two highways being closed temporarily and opportunities for economic development, including two industrial parks in Beech Bottom.

The height needed to prevent the span and its piers from obstructing river traffic also was a consideration.

Mike Paprocki, a BHJ staffer when the studies were performed and the planning commission’s current executive director, said a recent traffic count done for the bridge found about 4,600 vehicles travel it each day.

He acknowledged it’s about a third less than the roughly 7,800 projected for it while it was being planned.

But Paprocki said the bridge nonetheless is an important transportation artery for this region.

He said when Route 7 was closed by a rock slide for about 24 hours in July, the bridge provided a detour for many traveling around that area.

Paprocki added many residents of southern Jefferson County have spoken of driving to businesses in the Wellsburg area.

“People in Brilliant are grocery shopping in Wellsburg. And Wellsburg does have a variety of restaurants,” he said, adding, “You’ll see a lot of West Virginia license plates at the gas station on Third Street in Brilliant.”

“It’s not a full replacement for the Market Street Bridge obviously, but it wasn’t meant to be,” said Paprocki, who has been assisting the West Virginia Department of Transportation in pursuing federal funds for the replacement of that span.

State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Wellsburg, said, “I think it’s an incredible addition to the local infrastructure.”

“I use it to come to work (in Wheeling) every day. I see people walk it every day,” he added, noting the bridge is linked to the Brooke County Pioneer Trail, which extends from the Wheeling Heritage Trail to the Yankee Trail at Wellsburg’s south end.

Weld said he’s also heard from people who travel it to reach businesses across the river.

Prior to the bridge’s opening, he had announced plans to introduce a resolution formally naming the span.

Weld said such action missed a new deadline established for such resolutions, but he plans to do so in next year’s legislative session while declining to reveal the name.

Since his announcement, the public has suggested various names. They have included the Pioneer Bridge and the Century Bridge, allusions to its unique development and the many years in which a Wellsburg-Brilliant crossing was discussed.

Others have suggested naming it for the black bear or cardinal, the state animal and bird; figures of local history or vocal supporters of the bridge, though many individuals played a part in its development.

And some have suggested its current moniker, the Wellsburg Bridge, is best for its simplicity and clarity for out-of-state travelers.

Earlier this year, the span was one of three WVDOT projects to win regional America’s Transportation Awards from the Southeastern Association of State Highway Officials.

The others were Grant Street Bridge in Bluefield and the U.S. Route 340 safety stabilization project near Harper’s Ferry.

For the national contest, the Wellsburg Bridge is vying against a $5 million project involving improvements to Akron’s Interstate Route 76 beltway and a communication system developed by PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission that allows incident response teams to call or text drivers trapped in a roadway backup as well as projects in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee and Washington state.

Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, said, “These 12 projects serve as the best of the best transportation projects completed by state DOTs across the country. But they are only a fraction of the incredible work states are doing to better their communities.”

He continued, “State DOTs today are focused on a wide range of work, including projects that enhance every mode of transportation and increase safety, equity and quality of life. This list of top 12 contenders serves as a great example of just how diverse these state DOT projects are.”