GARY, WV (LOOTPRESS)– A bridge connecting Miracle Mountain to society is now open after being inactive for five years.
The problem with the original bridge was decades of coal trucks driving back and forth. It started to deteriorate and create significant damage and potholes because the bridge wasn’t made for heavy trucks. The trucks could carry over 60,000 tons of coal back to McDowell County.
A temporary road and footbridge were erected on top of the older bridge to allow access, but the county shut it down because it was built near train tracks.
The shutdown of the bridge affected tourist spots like Miracle Mountain Park, Warrior Trail Access and two coal mines on the mountain.
“This bridge also links approximately 200 citizens and 200 workers back to society,” said Gary Police Chief, S.P Pat McKinney.
The project took so long because of funding and structure work that had to be done.
“They had to be careful on how they removed the bridge because water and sewer lines were attached to the bridge to get across that river. As they built the new bridge, they had to reattach the water and sewer lines to the new bridge. That’s why it’s taken five years to get this done,” said McKinney.
Funding for this project was accessible by federal highway dollars and state matching funds.
A ceremony was held to unveil the new bridge Monday afternoon.