Silver Memorial Bridge

The Silver Memorial Bridge is a steel road bridge spanning the Ohio River between Henderson, West Virginia and Gallipolis, Ohio. It carries traffic across four lanes, making it a key connection for vehicles moving between the two states.

This bridge was built and opened in 1969 following the collapse of the original Silver Bridge in 1967. That disaster led to widespread examination of bridge safety standards across the country.

This crossing has become a symbol of resilience for the two river communities it joins, marking a moment when the region chose to rebuild. Locals view the bridge as part of their everyday landscape, woven into the daily movement between West Virginia and Ohio.

Crossing this bridge is straightforward via US Route 35, and traffic moves at standard highway speeds with no tolls. It serves as a direct route for daily commuters and travelers between the two states.

This bridge uses a cantilever design, a specialized construction method that allows it to span the wide river without central support columns. This building approach was chosen based on lessons learned from the earlier disaster.

Location: West Virginia

Location: Ohio

Inception: December 15, 1969

Official opening: December 15, 1969

Length: 599 m

GPS coordinates: 38.83440,-82.14750

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54