Robert C. Byrd Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Robert C. Byrd Bridge is a 720 feet (219.5 m) continuous truss
automobile bridge that crosses the Ohio River
between Huntington, West Virginia
and Chesapeake, Ohio
. The crossing was constructed to replace an old, narrow two lane structure that was demolished after 69 years of service in a spectacular implosion on July 17, 1995. The previous bridge, opened in 1926, was Huntington's first bridge across the Ohio River and was designed in a gothic style, complete with four two-ton spires that rested on top of each peak.
The ground breaking ceremonies for the four-lane bridge was held on April 30, 1991. James Watkins, of the Ohio Department of Transportation
, stated that the importance of the new four-lane span would only be heightened by the construction of the Chesapeake-Proctorville State Route 7 bypass that would "begin in 1996." Work on the bypass did not begin until 2000.
The old 6th Street Bridge closed in the summer of 1993 to allow for the construction of the ramps and approaches in West Virginia and Ohio. The new bridge was named the Robert C. Byrd Bridge under an executive order from former Governor Gaston Caperton
to honor the U.S. senator from West Virginia
who is credited with obtaining the funding for the project that was completed on November 6, 1994. The $32.6 million bridge was constructed with $1.4 coming from Ohio
, $5.6 coming from West Virginia, and $25.3 in federal funds.
The famous spires, which once adorned the top of the former span, were saved. One is currently on display outside of the Chesapeake
city hall at the intersection of State Route 7 and the Robert C. Byrd Bridge. Two others are installed along 9th Street between 3rd and 5th Avenues.
Continuous truss bridge
A continuous truss bridge is a truss bridge which extends without hinges or joints across three or more supports. A continuous truss bridge may use less material than a series of simple trusses because a continuous truss distributes live loads across all the spans; in a series of simple trusses,...
automobile bridge that crosses the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
between Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
and Chesapeake, Ohio
Chesapeake, Ohio
Chesapeake is a village in Lawrence County, Ohio, United States. The population was listed as 842 in the 2000 census. It lies across the Ohio River from Huntington, West Virginia, at the mouth of Symmes Creek....
. The crossing was constructed to replace an old, narrow two lane structure that was demolished after 69 years of service in a spectacular implosion on July 17, 1995. The previous bridge, opened in 1926, was Huntington's first bridge across the Ohio River and was designed in a gothic style, complete with four two-ton spires that rested on top of each peak.
The ground breaking ceremonies for the four-lane bridge was held on April 30, 1991. James Watkins, of the Ohio Department of Transportation
Ohio Department of Transportation
The Ohio Department of Transportation is the organization of state government responsible for developing and maintaining all state and federal roadways in the state of Ohio with exception of the Ohio Turnpike. In addition to highways, the department also helps develop public transportation and...
, stated that the importance of the new four-lane span would only be heightened by the construction of the Chesapeake-Proctorville State Route 7 bypass that would "begin in 1996." Work on the bypass did not begin until 2000.
The old 6th Street Bridge closed in the summer of 1993 to allow for the construction of the ramps and approaches in West Virginia and Ohio. The new bridge was named the Robert C. Byrd Bridge under an executive order from former Governor Gaston Caperton
Gaston Caperton
William Gaston Caperton III was the 31st Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia from 1989 until 1997. He is currently the president of the College Board, which administers the nationally recognized SAT and AP tests. Caperton announced his intention to step down as president of the College...
to honor the U.S. senator from West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
who is credited with obtaining the funding for the project that was completed on November 6, 1994. The $32.6 million bridge was constructed with $1.4 coming from Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, $5.6 coming from West Virginia, and $25.3 in federal funds.
The famous spires, which once adorned the top of the former span, were saved. One is currently on display outside of the Chesapeake
Chesapeake, Ohio
Chesapeake is a village in Lawrence County, Ohio, United States. The population was listed as 842 in the 2000 census. It lies across the Ohio River from Huntington, West Virginia, at the mouth of Symmes Creek....
city hall at the intersection of State Route 7 and the Robert C. Byrd Bridge. Two others are installed along 9th Street between 3rd and 5th Avenues.
External links
- 6th Street Bridge (WV 527) at Bridges & Tunnels
- Robert C. Byrd Bridge (WV 527) at Bridges & Tunnels