BLAINE, OH — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Belmont County community leaders to celebrate the reopening of the U.S. Route 40 Blaine Hill Bridge two years ahead of the original project completion date.
"I am proud of the teamwork that brought this project to completion significantly ahead of schedule,” DeWine said. “This new bridge restores a vital connection between neighboring communities and delivers the safe, dependable roadway that Belmont County drivers expect and deserve."
ODOT closed the Blaine Hill Bridge, also known as the Arches of Memory Bridge, in August 2024 after a routine bridge inspection revealed significant deterioration, including cracking on the deck and damage to the columns and concrete structure. Construction to overhaul the bridge deck was originally expected to begin in 2027, but ODOT accelerated the project's timeline to begin work in 2025.
“Safety dictates every decision we make at ODOT, which is why the closure in 2024 was absolutely necessary,” ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn said. “However, thanks to the relentless dedication of ODOT engineers and design partners, we fast-tracked this project. We appreciate the patience of Belmont County drivers and are proud to safely open the Blaine Hill Bridge while preserving its historical significance.”
Built in the 1930s, the reinforced concrete bridge consists of four arch spans and connects the local Ohio communities of Blaine, Boydsville, Lansing, Brookside, and St. Clairsville. To enhance safety and accommodate both bicycle and pedestrian traffic, the new bridge configuration has one lane in each direction and features a 12-foot shoulder on the westbound side of the bridge, along with a 3-foot sidewalk and a 4-foot shoulder on the eastbound side.
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The bridge overlooks the original 1828 Blaine Hill “S” Bridge, which was part of the historic National Road project. The “S” Bridge was saved from demolition in 1999 and designated Ohio’s official Bicentennial Bridge in 2001.
The project was designed by Michael Baker International, and Beaver Excavating Inc. led the construction team. The project required 1,600 cubic yards of concrete (enough to cover two football fields at a depth of 4.5 inches) and included the removal and replacement of 440 box beams.
