Wellsburg Bridge

The Wellsburg Bridge spans the Ohio River, connecting the communities of Wellsburg, West Virginia, and Brilliant, Ohio. Before the completion of the bridge, Wellsburg and Brilliant residents had to travel 10 miles north or 16 miles south to the nearest Ohio River crossing points.

As part of the alternative delivery method aimed at minimizing disturbances to river traffic, the 830-foot main span was constructed entirely offsite before being positioned on enormous barges that slowly carried it 1 mile down the Ohio River to its permanent site for installation.  After arriving at the piers, the 4,100-ton main span structure was lifted off the barges and placed on the approach girders 80 feet above the Ohio River.

At 1,875 feet long, the span is one of the longest network-tied, arch bridges in the United States.