This unique bridge is Ohioâs Official Bicentennial Bridge; Ohioâs oldest bridge and longest âSâ bridge. Constructed on a part of the first federally funded national highway, the 1828 âSâ Blaine Hill Bridge carried early travelers over Wheeling Creek and up the western hills from the Ohio River crossings in Bridgeport, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia. Built of sandstone, the bridge is 345 feet in length with three arches. Its âSâ shape carried travelers continually from the days of wagons to automobiles. The 1828 bridge remains the longest existing span of its type on the entire six-state Historic National Road. It is thought to be perhaps the first bridge in the Northwest Territory. It is also built upon the ancient Indian trail that became Zane’s Trace and it offers a three-tired view of three generations of American transportation history, which includes I-70 and Historic National Road.
Crumbling and in poor condition, the bridge was saved from demolition in 1999. The preservation of the bridge was made possible through a collaboration between community members and local, state, and federal government officials. In 2001, the Blaine Bridge Community Preservation Project began and by 2005 the restored site was dedicated.