Tag: Dick Henderson Memorial Bridge

 

 

A bridge replacing a 70-year-old span linking Nitro and St. Albans is open for traffic.

The old bridge was demolished earlier this year to make way for the new Dick Henderson Memorial Bridge. It cost nearly $24 million to construct.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Sen. Joe Manchin were among the dignitaries on hand Friday to mark the opening of the span to traffic. It opened to foot traffic Thursday night.

Instead of a ribbon cutting, a construction worker used a blowtorch to cut through a chain.

Hundreds looked on as the new span made its debut.

A new trophy for the annual football rivalry game between St. Albans and Nitro is made from steel from the old span.

For more information on the reconstruction of the Dick Henderson Memorial Bridge, visit the Department of Transportation’s website.

Construction continues  to replace the Dick Henderson Memorial Bridge, which spans the Kanawha River between Nitro and St. Albans.

Officials with the Department of Transportation said the state looked at options for bridge repairs over the years and eventually lowered the weight limit to less than 10 tons. Over time, rust and deterioration became too much.  

The original bridge was closed in January and demolished in two separate explosions in early March.

DOT officials said construction of the replacement bridge is on schedule and it’s expected to be opened in November.