West Virginia Press Association
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On July 12, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and member of the Appropriations Committee, along with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $87.5 million to replace the Market Street Bridge over the Ohio River in Brooke County.
The funding for WVDOT Division of Highways comes through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP), which was established in the EPW Committee’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act that was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021.The Market Street Bridge has been closed since December 2023 due to unsafe conditions and structural integrity.
“As we wrote and negotiated the infrastructure bill in the EPW Committee, we made it a priority to provide specific funding to repair and replace major bridges like the Market Street Bridge, which is a crucial thoroughfare for workers, residents, and visitors in our state every day,” Ranking Member Capito said. “Replacing the Market Street Bridge is a major win for the safety and future growth of West Virginia, and I’m proud to help deliver this significant amount of funding to address a critical infrastructure need for our state, especially having heard from so many residents and community leaders who stressed how critical this project is for the area.”
In January 2024, Senator Capito also wrote a letter of support to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg advocating for federal funding to replace the Market Street Bridge.
“This historic bridge constructed in 1905 has transported generations of West Virginians safely to their destinations,” said Senator Manchin. “Since its closure in December of 2023, the people of East Steubenville have had to find time-consuming alternative routes to walk, bike, or drive across the river. I personally weighed in with senior officials at the Department of Transportation about the critical importance of fully renovating and reconstructing the Market Street Bridge, and I am hopeful that today’s announcement will provide much needed relief to impacted residents. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to bolster our transportation infrastructure across the Mountain State.”