• de
  • en
  • fr
  • International Database and Gallery of Structures

Wheeling Suspension Bridge

Wheeling Suspension Bridge, Spanning East channel of Ohio River at U.S. Route, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV(HAER, WVA,35-WHEEL,35-59)
Wheeling Suspension Bridge
Wheeling Suspension Bridge, Spanning East channel of Ohio River at U.S. Route, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV(HAER, WVA,35-WHEEL,35-56)
Wheeling Suspension Bridge, Spanning East channel of Ohio River at U.S. Route, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV(HAER, WVA,35-WHEEL,35-57)

General Information

Structural Type: original configuration:
Suspension bridge
current configuration:
Suspension bridge with cable-stays
Function / usage: Road bridge
Built: 1847 - 1849
Status: in use

Geographic Information & Related Structures

Location: Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia, USA, North America
Crosses
  • Ohio River
Coordinates: 40° 4' 13.00" N    80° 43' 36.00" W

Technical Information

Dimensions

main span 308 m
number of cables 2 x 6
deck deck depth 7.3 m

Materials

deck wrought iron
towers masonry

Chronology

17 May 1854

In a strong wind that blows during most of the day, the bridge deck begins to oscillate, which the local inhabitants seem to like to experience. However in the afternoon the deck is suddenly completely overturned, ripping most of the suspension cables out of their anchorages.
26 July 1854

After salvaging the wreckage Charles Elliot and Captain McComas inaugurate a reconstructed 14-foot-wide temporary bridge despite an injuction by the Supreme Court barring any effort to that effect.
1865

Joseph Lawson is appointed superintendent of the bridge. He holds this position until his death in December of 1923.
1872

Wilhelm Hildenbrand redesigns the bridge adding cable-stays to strengthen the structure and replacing the deck.

Participants

Initial construction (1847-1849)

Reconfiguration (1874)

Reconstruction (1859)

Relevant Web Sites

Relevant Publications

Internal Information

Structure-ID: s0000478
Created: 13/11/1999
Last Updated: 24/04/2013