CHARLESTON -- Testing and evaluation are nearly complete on the Jennings Randolph Bridge, according to officials with the West Virginia Division of Highways, with bridge engineers finalizing plans for permanent repairs.
The bridge, which carries U.S. 30 across the Ohio River and connects Chester and East Liverpool, was closed on Dec. 11 after cracks, not visible to the naked eye, were discovered in bridge welds. Officials were concerned the cracks could result in future safety issues to the span in unaddressed.
Repairs were made to those cracks, and additional inspections Tuesday, during which time crews from WVDOH Central Forces cut access holes into the bridge to allow a review of the internal structure, found no additional cracks in the bridge.
"We had to create access ports to internally sealed portions of the bridge to check for internal defects," said WVDOH State Bridge Engineer Tracy Brown, P.E. "We had to get a plasma cutter to cut through a diaphragm so we could send inspectors in there."
The Jennings Randolph Bridge was built in 1977 using T-1 steel. At the time, welded T-1 steel was common in bridge construction, but it was later discovered that cracks could develop in the welds joining the beams. Recently, the federal government required specialized testing on all bridges made with T-1 steel.
The WVDOH will meet with bridge inspectors today to discuss the findings of the inspections, evaluate the full extent of any additional needed repairs and begin the design process for any work that remains to be done.