Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge

Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge

The Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge carries US Route 19 over the Meadow River near Hico, West Virginia.

Table Of Contents
  1. History
  2. Gallery

History

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was established in 1965 as a partnership between the federal government and the 13 Appalachian states to help revitalize the region. One of its major initiatives was the development of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which aimed to provide better access to areas within the region and spur economic growth.

For West Virginia, Corridor L was defined as a corridor between Interstate 77 in Beckley and Interstate 79 near Sutton, roughly tracing the path of US Routes 19 and 21. Notably, it would encompass the Oak Hill bypass built around 1965 and a segment connecting Mt. Nebo to Summersville, completed in 1963. 3

The construction for the entirety of Corridor L started in 1969 2 and was finalized in 1978. 3 This included the construction of a two-lane Warren deck truss bridge that was built over the Meadow River north of Hico. The lowest bid for its construction came in at $3,785,751, which was accepted, and the construction contract was given to W. P. Dickerson & Sons from Youngwood, Pennsylvania in August 1970. 6 7

By the middle of May 1973, the bridge’s concrete road deck was set in place on top of galvanized steel forms. 10 By July, the entire Meadow River bridge was fully constructed and ready. With the opening of the Meadow River Bridge, 12 miles of Corridor L were opened to traffic from Hico and Mt. Nebo. 8

Upon completion of Corridor L, it was signed as US Route 19, which had been approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHO) in November 1970. 1

By 1980, an additional one-mile spur to the West Virginia Turnpike was finished. 3 The stretch from this Turnpike to US Route 60 at Hico was developed as a four-lane road. However, between Hico and Interstate 79, Corridor L initially had two lanes but was built on land set aside for four lanes. This included the pre-existing segment of US Route 19 between Mt. Nebo and Summersville. Notably, the Summersville bypass was constructed with four lanes. 2

Corridor L, and US Route 19, gained rapid popularity among drivers. 2 Many used it as a detour to avoid Charleston and a section of the toll-requiring West Virginia Turnpike. Taking Corridor L saved travelers almost an hour compared to using Interstates 77 and 79. Recognizing the increasing traffic, efforts to expand Corridor L, making it four lanes all the way between Hico and Interstate 79, commenced in 1990. 10 That’s when the state announced it would spend $38.8 million to widen the remaining two-lane segments of Corridor L to four lanes. It would be paid from the state Parkways, Economic Development & Tourism Authority’s payback to the state for widening the West Virginia Turnpike.

Projects associated with Corridor L initially had a deadline of either 1993 or 1994. 4 This was due to a stipulation regarding Turnpike reimbursement funds, which required them to be utilized within a five-year period. Senator Robert C. Byrd was able to obtain additional federal funds. 5 In June, the expansion of Corridor L commenced with the segment from Airport Road (County Route 19/32) and Irish Corner Road (County Route 41/1). 4

In January 1993, the Orders Construction Company of St. Albans was awarded an $8.5 million contract for the construction of a companion bridge to cater to the northbound traffic on US Route 19 over the Meadow River. 11 The funding for this bridge was provided by Senator Byrd. By the summer of 1995, the new bridge over the Meadow River was completed.

The entire Corridor L expansion project was completed in 1996. 3 In 1998, the bridges were officially named the Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge after Kevin Ritchie who had responded to a two-vehicle accident on the ice and snow-covered Meadow River Bridge on November 15, 1997. 9 Ritchie was assisting at the scene of the accident when three additional vehicles lost control, leading Ritchie to fall 300 feet from the bridge to his death while avoiding the oncoming vehicles.

Gallery

Information

  • State: West Virginia
  • Route: US Route 19
  • Type: Warren Deck Truss
  • Status: Active - Automobile
  • Total Length: 1,262' (1973); 1,261' (1995)
  • Main Span Length: 400' (1973 and 1995)
  • Deck Width: 50' (1973); 35.5 (1995)
  • Roadway Width: 46.5' (1973); 31.8' (1995)

Sources

  1. “US 19.” Virginia Highways Project, 23 Jul. 2022.
  2. Prince, Adam. “Corridor L – West Virginia’s Gateway to Adventure.” Gribblenation, 31 Jan. 2017.
  3. “APD Appalachian Highways.” West Virginia Department of Transportation.
  4. Bowling, Brian. “Funds released for Corridor L, other projects.” Register-Herald, 10 Apr. 1990, pp. 1A-10A.
  5. Porterfield, Mannix. “Improved road, credited to Byrd, a triumph for Summersville area.” Register-Herald, 2 Nov. 1994, pp. 1A-14A.
  6. “Low Highway Bids Are Opened.” Raleigh Register, 29 Jul. 1970, p. 7.
  7. “Contracts Given for Corridor ‘L’.” Post-Herald, 14 Aug. 1970, p. 10.
  8. “Corridor ‘L’ in Fayette and Nicholas Counties.” Post-Herald, 1 May 1972, p. 11.
  9. “House Concurrent Resolution No. 12.” West Virginia State Legislature, 1998.
  10. “Progress of Corridor ‘L’ at Hico in Fayette County.” Post-Herald, 23 Apr. 1973, p. 12.
  11. “State awards U.S. 19 bridge contract.” Post-Herald, 7 Jan. 1994, p. 10A.

1 thought on “Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge”

  1. Hi I was wondering if you have any more information on Kevin Ritchie’s early education. I taught in Nicholas county and remember a student by that in my class. Any pertinent information along those lines would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Larry Zirilli

    Reply

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