Wellsburg Bridge
Brilliant, Ohio, and Wellsburg, W.Va.
Merit Award
Sent by: Flatiron Constructors Inc.
Owner: West Virginia Department of Transportation
Main design company: RS&H
General contractor: Flatiron Construction.
Structural Engineer: COWI Consulting Inc.
A tied arch bridge floated a mile down the Ohio River in April 2021, marking the first time this method had been used to install a West Virginia bridge. It was also the heaviest floating bridge lift ever executed in the US
The cable-stayed arch bridge was built off-site, upstream, after two existing old spans outlived their useful life. The 1,850-foot-long bridge spans 830 feet and connects Route 2 in West Virginia, near Wellsburg, to Route 7 (R7) in Brilliant, Ohio, providing an important and reliable artery for both communities.
Photo courtesy of Flatiron Construction Inc.
The five-year, $148 million project also included construction of a mile-long pile and panel retaining wall, as well as road improvements.
The tied arch structure of the net weighed more than 4,000 tons. Four barges and a custom lifting system supported the span during floating and lifting to permanent docks. Authorities gave the team a 72-hour window to float the bridge with the river closed to all boat traffic.
