Wheeling WV Bridge Collapse Injures Three Workers

WHEELING, W.Va. — Three construction workers were injured Wednesday afternoon after the Washington Avenue Bridge over Wheeling Creek collapsed while crews were working to dismantle the structure, authorities said.

The collapse occurred around 2 p.m. as workers were in the process of removing the bridge deck. Emergency responders rescued all three individuals from the debris and transported them to a nearby hospital. One worker sustained serious injuries, while the other two were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The bridge had been closed to traffic since December 2 to allow for replacement work. Construction equipment was on the span at the time of the collapse.

“Workers were on the bridge dismantling it and all of a sudden, the bridge collapses and falls into the creek below,” said Wheeling Police Department Public Information Officer Phillip Stahl. “We’re not really sure what transpired during those events, but there were three workers, one of them in a dump truck, the other in an excavator, and a third person on the bridge deck itself.”

Stahl said multiple agencies responded immediately following the collapse, allowing rescuers to reach the workers quickly.

“The fire department, police department, sheriff’s office and emergency management all rushed to the scene and were able to get down into the creek pretty quickly and get access. Water levels are pretty low this time of year,” Stahl said.

“They were able to rescue the three workers and transport all of them to the hospital,” he continued.

According to Stahl, the workers were positioned near the center of the bridge at the time of the collapse. He said officials have not yet determined which specific portion of the structure failed.

The Washington Avenue Bridge had been scheduled for replacement following years of structural deterioration. According to a city of Wheeling news release issued in November, the bridge was closed in early December to begin replacement work, with the new span expected to open in October 2026.

The bridge had undergone repairs in 2021, but weight restrictions were imposed prior to its closure as inspectors identified worsening structural issues. Investigations into the cause of Wednesday’s collapse are expected to continue as crews secure the site.