Bellaire Toll Bridge, aka Interstate Bridge
Photos
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South View from Ohio Highway 7 This amazing example of engineering appears to be doomed. It opened as a private toll bridge on December 22, 1926 and operated that way until May 1, 1991, when it closed. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in February 2008 |
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The north side As seen from a levee in Benwood, WV. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in February 2008 |
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The west portal - or what's left of it The west approach was torn down to allow Ohio DOT to build a new highway 7 freeway along the riverfront. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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Long distance view of the cantilever truss Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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Oblique view Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The piers are massive Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The east pier Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The east approach The east approach is supported by a complex set of columns and plate girders. Note the bottom of the staircase has been torched off. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The original east approach The original ramps were filled over to build West Virginia Highway 2. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The east approach Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The east approach abutment Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The east entrance The entrance/exit ramps for bridge access to and from the bridge still exist. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The east approach The fence indicates how serious officials are about keeping people off the bridge. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The original traffic signs are still here Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The east portal Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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I think they want me to keep off the bridge Scenes from "Silence of The Lambs" were shot on this bridge. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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Pedestrian walkway Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The pedestrian walkway Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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The deck on the east approach Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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As late as 1987, concrete was poured "87" BRIDGE RATS Greg - Joe - Tim - Bob Derk - Rick - Jim - Ray J.B. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
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Northbound WV2 to the Bridge Closed but this could easilly be reopened if the bridge were to be saved. Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007 |
The History and Future of the Bellaire Bridge
Written by J.R. ManningThe Bellaire Bridge is, and has been since its opening on December 22, 1926, a privately owned toll bridge. When designed, it was thought the bridge would carry streetcars, and tracks were built into the deck. In addition, it was constructed well enough to carry the 100,000 pound streetcars.
The cantilever truss design makes this a stunning bridge, impressive from any view. It can be seen from miles around. If ever steel and concrete could be considered a work of art, the Bellaire Bridge is such a work of art.
But it appears this impressive masterpiece of engineering artwork is doomed. The U.S. Coast Guard has declared the bridge a hazard to navigation. Detractors claim it is about to coallapse into the river under its own weight. Fans wish to see it restored and reopened because of its historical value.
A public hearing was held on December 19, 2007 in Bellaire, Ohio, regarding the fate of this controversial bridge. Access to the east end of the bridge is still intact, entrance and exit ramps to West Virginia Highway 2 are extant. The west end of the bridge is inaccessible, as it was cut off to allow construction of Ohio Highway 7.
Apparently, little was resolved at the public hearing. The U.S. Coast Guard wants the structure torn down because it is unused and a navigation nuisance. Some residents on both sides of the river agree, however, many residents side with owner, Roger Barack, and wish to see the bridge restored and reopened as the toll bridge that it always was.
Through his attorney, owner Roger Barack claims he was mislead by the Ohio Department of Transportation. He says ODOT mislead him on the possibility of access ramps being built on the Ohio end of the bridge to keep the span open.
The Coast Guard did demand the structure to be removed in 2004, however, Coast Guard officials believe Barack was denied due process and this hearing was held to restart the process.
Regardless of any desire to reopen the bridge, the stunning structure appears, so far, to be doomed.
Sources:
http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/503605.html
http://www.bellaire.lib.oh.us/BellaireBridgev3.htm
http://www.historicbridges.org/ohio/bellaire/index.htm
The Wikipedia list of Ohio River Crossings:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crossings_of_the_Ohio_River
More photos on Bridges & Tunnels:
Facts
- Overview
- Cantilevered through truss bridge over Ohio River on Local Road 8th Street
- Status
- Closed to all traffic
- History
- Operated as a privately owned toll bridge unitl 1991 when Ohio DOT cut off the west approach to build a new OH 7
- Design
- Cantilevered through truss
- Dimensions
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Length of largest span: 1,250.0 ft.
Total length: 1,250.0 ft.
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +40.01490, -80.73760 (decimal degrees)
40°00'54" N, 80°44'15" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 17/522393/4429443 (zone/easting/northing)
- USGS topographic map
- Wheeling
- Inventory number
- BH 36178 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Sources
- J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
- Structurae International Database and Gallery of Structures - Bellaire Bridge entry on Structurae.