![]() Our coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants are helping power the electric cars becoming increasingly more common on our highways. In many ways, West Virginia is helping this nation build a bridge to the future. Our workers are known to spend decades working for one company. We all chip in during the worst disasters. We stop to help our friends, neighbors and strangers. Our men and women, truly our most valuable resource, have fought in all of this nation’s wars. Chemicals and plastics made in West Virginia have improved the lives of billions. For that matter, we made the steel too once upon a time. Our people mined the coal that powered a nation, helped win world wars, melted the iron to make the steel. ![]() West Virginia has carried much of the weight of the nation. They connect our valleys and mountainsides, rivers and creeks. They are mostly dependable when properly maintained. You’ve probably driven across it hundreds of times and never thought about it. West Virginia can be likened to a bridge. What kind of bridge should one build? An arch bridge like the New River Gorge Bridge? A suspension bridge like the Wheeling Suspension Bridge? What kind of load will the bridge handle? Mere vehicles, people or even trains? What is the lifespan of a bridge? How long can a bridge be maintained before it ultimately needs replaced or, heaven forbid, collapses? It seems so simple: build something flat from one side of a bank to another so people, animals and vehicles can get from one side or another. Marys to Middle Island, one of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge - the only island accessible by car.īridges are interesting things. Thankfully, by the 1970s a new Hi-Carpenter Bridge was built, but you can see the remains of the old Hi-Carpenter Bridge, which connects St. A ferry boat service - similar to what Sistersville uses now - had to be used to get from one side or another. ![]() Marys without a direct crossing to Newport, Ohio. Rather than try to fix the issue, the bridge was demolished, leaving St. Marys had the same exact flaw and the state closed the bridge as a precaution. It turns out that the first Hi-Carpenter Bridge in St. It was in fact caused by an engineering flaw that went unnoticed. Despite the hype, no, the accident was not caused by the Mothman (I’ll never get the obsession with the Mothman or the Flatwoods Monster or other cryptids). You should know about the Silver Bridge, which collapsed into the Ohio River decades ago. ![]() At one time we had a sister bridge to the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant. It is also a good way to marvel at the engineering behind the bridge. If one can get beyond a fear of heights and ignore the shaking of the bridge caused by the flow of traffic above, it’s a wonderful way to see the gorge and the New River from where its name comes from. The Bridge Walk tour takes you to the catwalk beneath the famous arch bridge. I’m fresh off a unique tour of the New River Gorge Bridge - underneath. ![]()
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