Robert H. Mollohan Bridge

The Robert H. Mollohan Bridge is also called the Jefferson Street Bridge, the Million Dollar Bridge, and the High-Level Bridge. It was completed in 1921, making it one of the earliest reinforced concrete arch bridges in the country. It is still the largest reinforced concrete arch bridge in West Virginia. The bridge consists of three reinforced concrete arches that each have two ribs and a clear span of 250 ft. It has numerous architectural embellishments, including 33 concrete obelisks supporting bronze and hand blown glass light fixtures. There are four balconies with flagpoles topped in gilded copper eagles. It is a great example of a bridge that seamlessly combined architecture and engineering. The bridge deck was originally covered with brick paving blocks, although the deck is now reinforced concrete. There are also four-story “buildings” within the bridge abutments, which had windows for light and ventilation, and had stairwells to provide access from the bridge deck to the streets below. Unfortunately these have been closed to the public.

The previous bridge was an 1852 suspension bridge which carried wagons, carriages, and pedestrians. The bridge was declared unsafe and was closed on November 27, 1907. A new steel truss bridge was built, and it opened in September of 1908. Discussions to replace the truss bridge began in 1915 when the Monongahela Valley Traction Company (an interurban railroad) wanted to extend into the city. In 1916 a $400,000 bond was issued to build a reinforced concrete bridge. Construction started in October of 1918, but financial complications delayed construction in the fall of 1919 and the summer of 1920. Two additional bonds were issued and the actual construction cost was approximately $810,000, giving the bridge the unofficial name of “million dollar bridge".

By 1998, the bridge had fallen into disrepair. It was closed and a $23.5 million contract was awarded to rehabilitate and preserve the bridge. This rehabilitation paid special attention to the original architecture of the bridge. The concrete parapets mimic the original balustrade, and the lighting was replaced with modern high-pressure sodium pendant light fixtures which resemble the original bronze and glass ones. The flagpoles were restored, and new “catalog model” eagles were installed. The windows of the abutment buildings and the balconies were restored, but there is no public access to the abutment buildings for security reasons. The bridge was re-opened on October 27, 2000.

The bridge was originally dedicated to honoring World War I veterans. In 2001, it was renamed for deceased US Congressman Robert H. Mollohan, a former area resident.