Deep in Appalachia, a rail-to-trail project builds bipartisan support for a bridge

The Market Street Bridge, a crucial link over the Ohio River between Steubenville, Ohio, and Weirton, West Virginia, has been closed for nearly three years due to severe rust and structural damage. Local leaders emphasize the importance of replacing the bridge to reconnect the communities and support the Great American Rail-Trail, a coast-to-coast bike and pedestrian path. Despite political challenges, there is bipartisan support for the trail, which is seen as vital for economic development. Steubenville’s Mayor Ralph Petrella and Weirton’s Mayor Dean Harris believe the trail will boost their cities’ profiles and attract new businesses, helping to revitalize the region. Weirton, already benefiting from a rail-trail connection to Pittsburgh, sees this project as part of its rebranding efforts after the decline of the steel industry. QUESTION: How might the development of the Great American Rail-Trail impact the future of small towns like Steubenville and Weirton?