Wabash Bridge (Ohio River) Explained

Wabash Bridge
Coordinates:	40.3104°N -80.6018°W

The Wabash Bridge is a railroad bridge over the Ohio River between the states of West Virginia and Ohio. It was the longest cantilever truss span for a short time when it was built. The bridge is also noted for its decorative finials on top of the towers. With its eastern end located on Route 2 in West Virginia, between Follansbee and Wellsburg, it was also a popular route for foot traffic from Follansbee and Wellsburg to Mingo Junction in Ohio. Streetcar service was provided on the West Virginia side to the steps leading to the footpath along the bridge.^[1]

Specifications

• Service - Railroad (Wheeling and Lake Erie) over the Ohio River
• Location - Mingo Junction, Ohio and Rural Brooke County, West Virginia
• Structure Type - Metal Cantilever Rivet - Baltimore Through Truss
• Construction Date - 1904
• Builder/Contractor - American Bridge Company of New York, New York
• Main Span Length - 700feet
• Structure Length - 1296feet
• Spans - 3 Main Span(s)^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 1904 – Wabash Railroad Bridge Constructed. Follansbees Timeline. 2015-04-14.
2. Web site: HistoricBridges.org. Mingo Junction Wabash Railroad Bridge. Historic Bridge.org Bridge Browser. 2015-04-14.