Demolition of Aetnaville Bridge Proposed

The Aetnaville Bridge, an abandoned yet emblematic structure that connects the former village of Aetnaville in Bridgeport, Ohio, with Wheeling Island in Wheeling, West Virginia, is scheduled for demolition. Built between 1890 and 1891 by the Youngstown Bridge Company using components from the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio, this bridge features seven Pennsylvania through trusses connected by pins and supported by sandstone piers. Originally used as a conduit for the Wheeling Railway Company’s interurbans between Wheeling and Bridgeport, and extending to other cities in West Virginia and Ohio, the bridge was repurposed for automobile use in 1937 after streetcar operations ceased. Despite alterations and a history of toll collection until 1953, the bridge was permanently closed to automobile traffic in December 1988 due to structural deterioration.

The West Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH) has set July 28, 2025, as the start date for demolishing the Aetnaville Bridge’s superstructure, with an estimated cost of $2.5 million. This decision was made after years of concern over the bridge’s condition, including a detailed inspection in October 2015 that led to its closure to pedestrian traffic in early 2016 due to severe structural issues. The upcoming demolition will mark the end of the historic bridge’s tenure, highlighting the challenge of preserving aging infrastructure amidst safety and financial considerations.