RAVENSWOOD, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) hosted a public meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Ravenswood City Hall to gather input from the public for potential alternatives for a bridge crossing over the Ohio River between Ravenswood, West Virginia, and Meigs County, Ohio.
The open house format of the meeting allowed community members to review project materials, speak directly with engineers, planners, and share feedback on the three preliminary bridge alternatives under consideration by ODOT. The meeting drew strong local interest, reflecting the importance of this corridor to both states.
Overview of the Three Proposed Alternatives:
Alternative 1: Build a new four-lane bridge adjacent to the existing William S. Ritchie Jr. Bridge, while rehabilitating and retaining the current bridge for local traffic. This option is designed to enhance the safety and capacity while preserving local accessibility.
Alternative 2: Replace the existing two-lane structure with a new four-lane bridge slightly south of Alternative A. This would improve through traffic efficiency but require new connections for local roads.
Alternative 3: Also involves constructing a new four-lane bridge at a new location, either upstream or downstream from the current crossing. This would allow for optimized traffic flow, but would involve more substantial changes to the surrounding infrastructure.
Many attendees wanted to minimize disruption to current travel patterns, while maintaining strong connectivity between Ohio and West Virginia communities.
Next Steps:
ODOT and WVDOT will continue to evaluate public feedback. The comment period remains open until Saturday, May 10, 2025. Residents are encouraged to submit feedback before the deadline.
To learn more, visit https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/120478.
