Ohio River bridge on rail-trail route draws bipartisan support from two mayors

The Market Street Bridge spans almost 1,800 feet over the Ohio River between downtown Steubenville, Ohio, and Weirton, West Virginia. It closed nearly three years ago. Michael Paprocki, a regional transportation planner, pointed to holes in rusted beams under the bridge deck. "In reality, if it stood long enough, it would probably collapse under its own weight," Paprocki said.

Local leaders say replacing the bridge is needed to reconnect the communities on either side. NPR reported the bridge also matters because the Ohio River is a major obstacle in the path of the Great American Rail-Trail, a plan to turn former rail corridors into bike and pedestrian trails from coast to coast. NPR reported that political gridlock in Washington is slowing bicycle and pedestrian trails. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said he does not want to spend federal dollars on what he calls "DEI bike lanes," according to NPR.

Mayors from both parties support the bridge and trail. "This is huge," said Ralph Petrella, the Republican mayor of Steubenville. Petrella told NPR the bridge and trail would raise the city's profile and "help our economic development and continue the momentum we have for revitalization." Dean Harris, the Democratic mayor of Weirton, was also on hand at a gathering on the Ohio side of the bridge, NPR reported.

Harris worked at a local steel mill for 48 years, and the mill closed in 2024. He said Weirton is "in the process of sort of rebranding ourselves" and needs to "look at the future and what's going to be good for future generations." Weirton already has a rail-trail that connects to the suburbs of Pittsburgh, about 30 miles east, which Harris said helped the city attract a battery factory that opened several years ago.

Local leaders also hope the rail-trail will encourage more young people to stay. Maura Barnes grew up in Ohio near Steubenville and stayed after college to raise a family in downtown Steubenville. She said she and her husband wanted a grocery store within walking distance, so they opened the Steubenville Grocery Box with friends.