Elm Grove Bracing for Shilling Bridge Replacement in 2026
Eric Ayres Trending
WHEELING -- Residents and commuters in Wheeling's Elm Grove community -- who have endured long periods of detours for major bridge replacement projects in recent years -- are bracing for yet another one next spring that will require traffic flow diversions.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation's Division of Highways is scheduled to replace the Shilling Bridge over Little Wheeling Creek with work beginning next year. The bridge connects National Road to Lumber Avenue via Overbrook Street, and the construction cost is estimated to be approximately $1,503,992.
While the construction date is still about a year away, the WVDOH is seeking public comments on the project now. Wheeling City Councilman Dave Palmer, who represents the Ward 6 neighborhood of Elm Grove, is urging citizens who may have comments about the project to submit them to the state.
"The plan now from the West Virginia Department of Highways is for the spring of 2026," Palmer said. "However, now they are asking for comments prior to going out to the construction phase."
Motorists who regularly travel through Elm Grove have been no strangers to detours because of significant bridge upgrades in recent years. The historic Monument Place Bridge or Stone Bridge on National Road was closed for five months last year and upgraded as part of a $3.8 million restoration project.
That bridge, originally built in 1817, is known as the oldest bridge in the state of West Virginia and is on a major traffic artery in the heart of Elm Grove.
Before the Stone Bridge's closure, the Kruger Street Bridge in Elm Grove was closed for about two months for an improvement project. Both of those bridge closures resulted in significant detours on alternate routes.
Palmer noted that the Shilling Bridge Replacement Project is a complete replacement that is expected to take much longer.
"Unfortunately, this is probably going to be about an 18-month closure, and hopefully things will go well and it will be done sooner," Palmer said. "But we're looking forward to the new bridge out there and for it to be safer."
According to the WVDOH, the Shilling Bridge was first built in 1970 and is owned by the city of Wheeling. A bridge inspection report from last year determined that the bridge is in poor condition with concrete spalling on the T-beams and concrete cracking on the piers and abutments, the WVDOH noted.
Plans call for the replacement of the deficient bridge at the existing location with a new bridge that meets current design standards. The new span will include two 11-foot travel lanes, 2-foot shoulders and a 6-foot sidewalk on the downstream side. No residential or business relocations will be required, but a small amount of permanent right-of-way and temporary construction easement will be needed.
Vehicular traffic will be detoured utilizing the northwest section of National Road and Lumber Avenue intersection near Patsy's Pizza. This option will use a temporary signal at the intersection to allow for left hand turns, which are currently prohibited.
"If you go on to the West Virginia Department of Highways' website and search for Shilling Bridge, you'll be able to put in comments," Palmer said. "So if you have something you'd like to see in that area, please comment on this. Do it now - it's good until April 18, 2025, to comment on this. Let's comment on it now as opposed to on social media six months down the road."