Wheeling Suspension Bridge Walkways/Sidewalks

In years past, the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) completed a renovation of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge in Wheeling, WV. The bridge, constructed more than 150 years ago, spans more than 1,000 feet across the Ohio River and is a National Historic Landmark.

The WVDOT chose DURAGRID® I-4000 1" thick grating to replace the existing steel grating sidewalks. Both sides of the bridge were provided with a 4' wide walkway, totaling over 8,000 square feet of grating. We at GEF Incorporated are a structural fiberglass fabricator and distributor so we provided the technical assistance to the DOT, acquiring all the necessary approvals for the product use, and provided valuable installation information and direction to the contractor.

DURAGRID® was chosen for a broad range of reasons. Public use of the sidewalks required several safety concerns to be considered, including loading requirements, slip resistance, and eliminating sharp edges (as with steel grating). The inherent properties of the FRP grating also provide key benefits considered by the customer, including lightweight, lower installation costs and corrosion resistance. The overall aesthesics of the product were also a major consideration.

See pictures below..

DURAGRID addressed several safety concerns in walkways.

Wheeling Suspension Bridge is a national historic landmark.