PARKERSBURG - Wearing hats and sunglasses to deflect the sun and carrying cameras and cell phones to record the moment, hundreds of Parkersburg area residents braved 90-degree heat Thursday to stroll across the newly completed and long-awaited Blennerhassett Bridge.

The $120 million bridge carrying four lanes of U.S. 50 across the Ohio River opens to vehicular traffic today, following dedication ceremonies set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Among those scheduled to speak are Gov. Joe Manchin, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., and Anne Pope, co-chairperson of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

West Virginia Department of Transportation officials opened the bridge to foot traffic Thursday afternoon to give people the chance to appreciate the size and beauty of the span.

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Pedestrians get an up-close look at the crisscrossing girders and cables on the arched section of the new Blennerhassett Bridge.

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At one time, highway planners considered building a huge suspension span to avoid placing piers on Blennerhassett Island, a state historic park, but such a design would have nearly tripled the cost of the project. The island does support three bridge piers, but there is no access from the bridge to the island, which remains accessible only by boat.

Last week, the bridge was one of five spans from across the world to receive the prestigious Gustav Lindenthal Medal for engineering that demonstrates technical innovation, aesthetic merit and harmony with the environment.

The bridge, planned since the mid-1960s, completes Appalachian Corridor D from Clarksburg to the Ohio border.

"You don't get the chance to do this every day," said Mike Brannock of South Parkersburg, as he and his wife, Beverly, stopped to photograph each other near the middle of the span on Thursday afternoon.

"It's been interesting to see this bridge take shape during the last few years," Brannock said. "This will bring major change to Parkersburg. For one thing, we'll have less truck traffic in the downtown area and less wear and tear on the streets. And we're starting to see some new development along the corridor "

"A lot of people thought the bridge would never get built, but it's finally here," said Beverly Brannock, recounting that plans for the span were first announced more than 40 years ago.

"We've been hearing about Corridor D for years and years, and now it's finally complete," said Berniece McPherson of Little Hocking, Ohio, who grew up in Parkersburg, and walked across the bridge with friend and fellow garden club member Bertha Stone.

 "This is a very showy bridge," said McPherson. "It's something to see, and now it will only take me five minutes to visit my sister in Lubeck "

After pedestrians completed their two-hours of designated walking time on the bridge, the River City Runners held a 2.5-kilometer race across the span and its West Virginia and Ohio approaches.

To contact staff writer Rick Steelhammer, use e-mail or call 348-5169.

PARKERSBURG - Wearing hats and sunglasses to deflect the sun and carrying cameras and cell phones to record the moment, hundreds of Parkersburg area residents braved 90-degree heat Thursday to stroll across the newly completed and long-awaited Blennerhassett Bridge.

The $120 million bridge carrying four lanes of U.S. 50 across the Ohio River opens to vehicular traffic today, following dedication ceremonies set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Among those scheduled to speak are Gov. Joe Manchin, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., and Anne Pope, co-chairperson of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

West Virginia Department of Transportation officials opened the bridge to foot traffic Thursday afternoon to give people the chance to appreciate the size and beauty of the span.

The 4,009-foot bridge is the costliest highway span ever built in West Virginia, but it also is one of the most attractive. It includes a 900-foot-long arch section, secured by a series of crisscrossing cables and overhead girders.

At one time, highway planners considered building a huge suspension span to avoid placing piers on Blennerhassett Island, a state historic park, but such a design would have nearly tripled the cost of the project. The island does support three bridge piers, but there is no access from the bridge to the island, which remains accessible only by boat.

Last week, the bridge was one of five spans from across the world to receive the prestigious Gustav Lindenthal Medal for engineering that demonstrates technical innovation, aesthetic merit and harmony with the environment.

The bridge, planned since the mid-1960s, completes Appalachian Corridor D from Clarksburg to the Ohio border.

"You don't get the chance to do this every day," said Mike Brannock of South Parkersburg, as he and his wife, Beverly, stopped to photograph each other near the middle of the span on Thursday afternoon.

"It's been interesting to see this bridge take shape during the last few years," Brannock said. "This will bring major change to Parkersburg. For one thing, we'll have less truck traffic in the downtown area and less wear and tear on the streets. And we're starting to see some new development along the corridor "

"A lot of people thought the bridge would never get built, but it's finally here," said Beverly Brannock, recounting that plans for the span were first announced more than 40 years ago.

"We've been hearing about Corridor D for years and years, and now it's finally complete," said Berniece McPherson of Little Hocking, Ohio, who grew up in Parkersburg, and walked across the bridge with friend and fellow garden club member Bertha Stone.

 "This is a very showy bridge," said McPherson. "It's something to see, and now it will only take me five minutes to visit my sister in Lubeck "

After pedestrians completed their two-hours of designated walking time on the bridge, the River City Runners held a 2.5-kilometer race across the span and its West Virginia and Ohio approaches.

To contact staff writer Rick Steelhammer, use e-mail or call 348-5169.