Jennings Randolph Bridge

Jennings Randolph Bridge
Western side and northern portal
Coordinates40°37′09″N 80°33′42″W / 40.6193°N 80.5617°W / 40.6193; -80.5617
Carries4 lanes of US 30
CrossesOhio River
LocaleEast Liverpool, Ohio and Chester, West Virginia
Named forJennings Randolph
OwnerWest Virginia Department of Transportation
Characteristics
DesignContinuous Truss Bridge
Longest span745 feet (227 m)
History
Construction end1977
ReplacesChester Bridge
Location
Map

The Jennings Randolph Bridge, built in 1977, is the largest Pratt truss bridge in North America. It spans ~3,400 feet (1,000 m) over the Ohio River between Chester, West Virginia and East Liverpool, Ohio, with main span of 745 feet (227 m). The bridge is located on U.S. Route 30 and is named after U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV). The bridge replaced the 1897 Chester Bridge, and is West Virginia's northernmost crossing from its northern panhandle.[1]

Route 30 and the Jennings Randolph Bridge as it crosses the Ohio River, January 2019.

On December 11, 2023, the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) closed the bridge after a federally mandated inspection discovered cracking in two welds on the steel bridge structure. In the end, 20 defects were found the T-1 steel that used to build the bridge. The bridge was reopened on January 8, 2024.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Jennings-Randolph Bridge (1977)". structurae.de. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
  2. ^ Lynch, John (8 January 2024). "Bridge that connects Ohio and West Virginia to open on Monday after 20 defects were found". WTRF. Retrieved 13 January 2024.

40°37′9.5″N 80°33′42.0″W / 40.619306°N 80.561667°W / 40.619306; -80.561667