Aetnaville Bridge

The Aetnaville Bridge is a through truss bridge spanning the back channel of the Ohio River between Bridgeport, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia. The bridge was built in December 1891 and used for vehicular traffic until December 1988, when it was closed to cars due to safety concerns. The structure was used by pedestrians until its complete closure in 2016.

Aetnaville Bridge
View of bridge from Ohio end
Coordinates	40°04′48″N 80°44′13″W
Crosses	Back channel of the Ohio River
Locale	Wheeling, West Virginia
Characteristics
Design	Pin-connected Pennsylvania through truss;[1] Parker truss configuration[2]
Material	Steel
Total length	440 feet (130 m)
Longest span	110 feet (34 m)
No. of spans	4 spans
History
Designer	Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio[2]
Construction start	1890[1]
Construction end	1891[1]
Closed	1988
Statistics
Daily traffic	pedestrian only
Aetnaville Bridge
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Show map of West Virginia Show map of the United States
Coordinates	40°4′48.118″N 80°44′12.5118″W
Part of	Wheeling Island Historic District (ID92000320[3])
Designated CP	April 2, 1992
Location

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, the bridge was used for streetcars until service ceased in 1937.[4] The bridge is now used mostly as a way for pedestrians, bicyclists, and joggers, to cross without having to go all the way around to the new Bridgeport Bridge.[5] The bridge was closed from October 19 to 23, 2015, to be evaluated for safety. Local residents are fighting to save this bridge, because it is a popular pedestrian footwalk, and part of a proposed bicycle and jogging trail.[6] As of January 20, 2016, there have been metal fences barricading the bridge pending further decision-making as to how to proceed with possible repairs .