| Photo: Derek Red | The Monument Place Bridge in Elm Grove reopened to traffic on Wednesday after being closed since April as crews made repairs between the bridges.
After months of searching for a way to bypass the Monument Place Bridge in Elm Grove, motorists can drive across it again.
West Virginia's oldest bridge reopened Wednesday after being closed for rehabilitation since April. This resulted in the closure of Elm Grove's main highway for people traveling on the state highway. But now motorists have a strengthened bridge reinforced with new materials that maintains the classic appearance of the bridge, which was built in 1817.
Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron, himself an Elm Grove resident, praised the project, which was overseen by the West Virginia Department of Highways.
“DOH and its contractors have done a great job on this project,” he said. “They did it as quickly as possible. The final product is a restoration of West Virginia's oldest bridge, and it looks great.”
Motorists had been forced to detour around the bridge since the $3.8 million project closed it. Small vehicles could use side roads, but large trucks were required to use Interstate 70 to reach certain parts of Elm Grove, which were accessible via bridges.
“The fact that traffic is open is a big plus,” he added. “The actual detour and traffic around the bridge while it was closed went very well. We are used to local detours so that part worked well and we appreciate the cooperation of the public. It worked very well.”
Built as part of the National Highway in 1817 by pioneer Colonel Moses Shepard, the Monument Place Bridge (also known as the Stone Bridge) was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
The project and the changes to traffic patterns that came with it weren't just tough on drivers; Several businesses based in areas surrounding the bridge have also had to deal with situations that have made it more difficult for customers to get to their locations. Wheeling City Councilman Dave Palmer, whose district includes Elm Grove, said now that the bridge is complete, it's time to show these businesses some love.
“Christmas has come a little early for the residents of Elm Grove, and we are so grateful to have the bridge reopened,” Palmer said. “I would now like to encourage all shoppers to support small businesses in Elm Grove. They have been very patient during the bridge closure and I would like to thank previous customers and new customers again. I’m definitely happy to meet you.”
After that project is finished, several new bridge replacement projects are underway. Mr. Herron said both the Washington Avenue Bridge at the corner of Washington Avenue and State Road and the Schilling Bridge near the Elm Grove Crossing Mall, which happened to be one of the local detours for the Monument Place Bridge. He said that it is planned to be built. It will be temporarily closed and replaced in 2025.
