The Monument Place Bridge carries the National Road and U.S. Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is the oldest bridge in the state.
The Monument Place Bridge carries the National Road and U.S. Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is the oldest bridge in the state. 1 3 Built when the United States was only 41 years old, the bridge also predates the creation of West Virginia by 46 years. It took its name from nearby Monument Place, where a memorial to Henry Clay honored his support for the construction of the National Road. 4
History
The bridge was constructed of locally quarried sandstone in 1817 by Col. Moses Shepherd, who was the mayor of Wheeling and the owner of nearby Shepherd Hall. 1 3 4 The bridge was reinforced with concrete in 1919, and in 1931, the roadway was widened with an open balustrade and cantilevered walkways. 3 4 In 1958, the bridge was coated with a concrete veneer. It was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in August 1981. 1 3
A major rehabilitation project was originally planned for 2021, when Clearwater Construction of Mercer, Pennsylvania, was awarded the contract. 2 3 The work was delayed by legal proceedings, including an easement dispute with an adjacent property owner. 3 The West Virginia Division of Highways was also finishing the Interstate 70 Bridges Project at the time, which further delayed the Monument Place Bridge work.
The bridge closed on April 15, 2024. 2 Rehabilitation work was completed on November 6 at a cost of $3.8 million. 1 3 The project included removing the existing sidewalks, pavement surface, and stone material within the bridge structure; repairing stones in the spandrel walls and arch barrels; adding new lightweight concrete backfill; repaving the bridge with concrete pavement reinforced with chromium rebar; and reconstructing the sidewalks and railings. 3 A sewer line that ran through the bridge was relocated, and the foundations were improved to help prevent future scour.
All original stones that had not deteriorated were retained in the arch, while the City of Wheeling supplied approximately 80 replacement stones. 3 The stones were then coated with a clear sealant for protection against future chloride damage.
Gallery
Details
- State: West Virginia
- Route: National Road, U.S. Route 40
- Status: Active (Automobile)
- Type: Closed Spandrel Arch, Stone Arch
- Total Length: 185'
- Main Span Length: 38'
- Deck Width: 37.5'
Sources
- “Monument Place Bridge in Wheeling has reopened following major renovation project.” West Virginia Department of Transportation, 7 Nov. 2024.
- “Closure of Monument Place Bridge on US 40, National Road, to begin Monday, April 15, 2024.” West Virginia Department of Transportation, 12 Apr. 2024.
- Ayres, Eric. “Monument Place Bridge Project Is Blending Old, New.” The Intelligencer, 2 Nov. 2024.
- “Monument Place Bridge History.” West Virginia Department of Transportation.