Photo Provided Traffic uses the Blaine Hill Bridge in this image provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation. The span, which is now closed, will carry traffic once again after it is rehabilitated by ODOT.

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that its Blaine Hill Arches of Memory Rehabilitation Project will rebuild the historic U.S. 40 bridge in Belmont County.

ODOT had closed the westbound lanes of the span in July “out of an abundance of caution” while working to address structural issues. Soon, though, ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol received multiple reports of drivers either not understanding or not obeying the posted signs and traveling west in the open eastbound lanes. This reportedly led to several close calls that could have caused life-threatening traffic collisions.

As a result, ODOT closed the bridge to all traffic on Aug. 5. Drivers headed both east and west have since been forced to use Interstate 70 between Marion Street in Bridgeport and Belmont County Road 214 east of St. Clairsville.

According to ODOT, the project to rebuild the bridge will include enhancements to the structural integrity of the span. The superstructure will be replaced, but the bridge’s historical character will be maintained.

Built in 1932, ODOT noted that the reinforced concrete bridge consists of four “iconic arch spans” over Wheeling Creek that rise above the first Blaine Hill Bridge. That three-arch span was constructed in 1828 as part of the National Road, which was the nation’s first federally funded highway. According to The Historical Marker Database, the original three-arch, S-shaped structure is 345 feet in length and is the longest original “S” bridge in existence on the old National Road. That first-generation bridge made the 500-foot westward climb out of the Ohio River Valley easier for pioneers who were opening up the West.

The S-bridge deteriorated but was saved from demolition in 1999. In 2001, it was designated Ohio’s official Bicentennial Bridge.

Also known as the “Blaine Hill Viaduct” and the “Arches of Memory,” the 1933 bridge is dedicated to World War I veterans and represents the middle era of east-west highway travel through the local region. Much of the traffic it once carried between the 1930s and 1960s has traveled along the adjacent Interstate 70 since that highway opened in the area in 1964.

Design plans for the viaduct rehabilitation project are in development. Michael Baker International is the firm designing it. ODOT anticipates construction to begin by 2027 but is actively working with the design firm to accelerate plan development.

Although funding is secured for this project, ODOT has submitted a grant application to the Bridge Investment Program for the Blaine Hill Bridge rehabilitation project for additional funding support. The Bridge Investment Program is one of the many available grants within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

ODOT District 11 Deputy Director Tom Corey said, “ODOT prioritizes safety above all else. We recognize that the closure is inconvenient for those living and working in the area and are making every effort to expedite the project. We want to ensure this work keeps this vital bridge in service to our community for decades to come.”

The proposed rebuild will keep the bridge’s current width and speed limit, with minimal changes to the existing pedestrian facilities. According to ODOT, the 754-foot long bridge is crucial in connecting the local communities of Blaine, Boydsville, Lansing and Brookside with areas to the west, such as the Belmont County seat of St. Clairsville. Rebuilding the bridge, which saw average daily pre-closure traffic of 4,538 vehicles according to ODOT, will restore connectivity for these communities and provide mobility options for local and regional freight and vehicular demand while preserving the historic bridge for future generations.

“Preserving the bridge’s historical value while modernizing its function is critical to the project,” ODOT noted in a release Wednesday. “The project will integrate durable materials such as advanced concrete sealants and resilient design elements that extend the bridge’s lifespan and protect its architectural integrity. These decisions will align with broader regional goals of maintaining vital infrastructure while respecting historic preservation.”

The estimated construction cost of the project is $11.2 million.