Market Street Bridge, Suspension bridge in Steubenville, United States
Market Street Bridge is a steel suspension structure spanning the Ohio River, connecting Steubenville in Ohio with Follansbee and Wellsburg in West Virginia. The bridge features a roadway for vehicles and a separate pedestrian sidewalk positioned on the downstream side, with steel stairs offering access from the Ohio end.
Engineer Edwin Kirtland Morse designed this steel structure in 1905 for streetcars and pedestrians. Between 1922 and the 1940s, modifications were made to accommodate automobile traffic and address structural concerns.
The bridge connects Steubenville with West Virginia communities, serving as a daily crossing for local people. Its steel structure and straightforward design are visible features that show how engineers tackled river crossings in the early 1900s.
The bridge accommodates two-way traffic and pedestrian use, with the sidewalk located on one side of the structure. Access from the Ohio side is by steel stairs, which are straightforward to navigate and provide a simple climb to the main crossing.
The bridge received significant reinforcements after structural problems emerged in the 1920s, including an open deck system designed by Dr. David B. Steinman. This innovative approach helped stabilize the structure and demonstrated engineering solutions of that era.
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