Memorial Bridge - Revitalizing a Regional Link
The Memorial Bridge has been vital to the Mid-Ohio Valley’s transportation network since its opening in 1955. Designed by engineering firm Hazlett & Erdal, the steel through-truss bridge spans the Ohio River, linking Parkersburg, WV, to Belpre, OH.
As a toll bridge, it provided a dependable route for residents and businesses while easing the stress on the aging Parkersburg–Belpre Bridge, especially after vehicle weight restrictions were imposed.
With a main span of 700 feet and a total length of 2,555 feet, the bridge exemplifies post-war American engineering in infrastructure projects. It focuses on the functional ethos and simplicity in its design. Over the decades, it has served as a vital connection for residents and businesses, ensuring access to essential locations in the region.
In 2022, Parkersburg Bridge Partners launched a $50 million rehabilitation project to modernize and preserve the bridge for future generations. The project involved completely removing and replacing the deck, applying a new paint and coating system, rehabilitating the steel superstructure and bearing pads, repairing concrete piers and columns, and installing a new, energy-efficient lighting system for both roadway and decorative purposes.
As part of this transformation, GVA Lighting supplied over 200 FL color-changing luminaires, which were installed across the bridge to highlight its structural features and enhance its visual appeal. The lighting system enables dynamic effects. turning the bridge into a canvas for colorful displays during special events and creating a striking nighttime presence.
The rehabilitation of the Memorial Bridge has not only restored a vital piece of infrastructure but also elevated it into a focal point of connectivity for the local community. By blending modern technology with its historic legacy, the bridge continues to play a key role in fostering mobility and economic development in the region.
Client: Parkersburg Bridge Partners
Architect: Hazlett & Erdal
CMGC: Kokosing Construction
Engineer of Record: Modjeski & Masters
Electrical Contractor: Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc.
GVA Representative: Robert S. Kimball Associates Inc.
