Norfolk Southern marks Ohio River bridge centennial anniversary

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday marked the 100-year anniversary of the "modern version" of its bridge over the Ohio River between South Point, Ohio, and Kenova, W.Va., according to the Class I.

Located on NS' Pocahontas Division main line, the bridge is an essential component of freight movement and economic development in the Tri-State region and Ohio River Valley. About 35 trains cross the bridge daily, carrying grain, coal and general merchandise. The 4,000-foot-long bridge is cleared to handle double-stack trains.

NS bridge crews regularly monitor and maintain the structure, which has been upgraded several times during the past century.

The structure originally was designed as a single-track bridge in 1892 by NS predecessor Norfolk and Western Railway. As nearby coal fields developed and the demand for coal in the Midwest grew, traffic increased. So, N&W rebuilt the bridge as a double-track structure and reinforced the infrastructure with pier modifications and new trusses. The modified bridge opened on March 4, 1913.