WELLSBURG, W.Va. (WTRF) — Think of all the thousands of bridges that have been built in America’s 250-year history.
Now consider that only two of them were ever built in one place and floated down a river…and one of them happened to be in Wellsburg, West Virginia.
That’s one of many reasons American Council of Engineering Companies named it one of the country’s most exceptional projects of 2023.
The ACEC ranks projects based on their innovation and impact.
The bridge had a five-year road to completion, which included the historic bridge lift in April of 2021 and a massive statewide ribbon cutting last September.
State Senator Ryan Weld says for Wellsburg, it goes beyond a convenient way to switch between the riverside highways.
“Really, it wasn’t just a bridge building that went on in Wellsburg, but a feat of engineering. And so it’s no surprise that that type of work was recognized and it’s awesome, it’s Wellsburg’s new landmark.”
State Sen. Ryan Weld, (R) Brooke, Senate Majority Whip
West Virginia Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston and Deputy Secretary Alanna Keller accepted the award in New York City.
The Department shares it with the bridge’s design consultant, COWI.
It’s fair to say that this award was 95 years in the making—
The first contract for a Wellsburg to Brilliant bridge was signed back in 1928.
