Interstate 470 Bridge, Highway bridge in Bellaire, West Virginia, United States.
The Interstate 470 Bridge is a highway bridge crossing the Ohio River between Bellaire in West Virginia and Ohio. The structure uses a tied arch design with four lanes running about 70 feet (21 meters) above the water.
Construction began in 1975 to improve connections between Ohio and West Virginia. Technical difficulties with the cable systems caused delays before the bridge opened in the early 1980s.
The bridge carries the name Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge to honor military personnel who served during the Vietnam War. The name reflects how local communities remember and recognize service members through infrastructure.
The bridge connects two states and handles significant daily traffic. Drivers should expect congestion during rush hours and proceed carefully if maintenance work is visible.
The bridge required specialized engineering to create its arch system, making it a notable achievement for its era. Engineers had to solve specific challenges posed by the river conditions and regional traffic needs.
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