1929+1997 Admiral T.J. Lopez Bridge over Kanawha River at Chelyan, WV

(Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; B&T; HAER; Satellite)

Kendrick McElfish provides a biography for Admiral Lopez.

Street View, Sep 2013

HAER WVA,20-CHEY,1-
5. View Southeast, North end - Chelyan Bridge, Spanning Kanawha River at U.S. Route 61 spur, Chelyan, Kanawha County, WV Photos from Survey HAER WV-46

"Significance: This bridge, spanning the Kanawha River at Chelyan, was constructed in 1928-29. The construction of the bridge showed how the volume of traffic increased as advances were made in the automobile industry and the automobile became more in demand. It was also evidence of the increase in coal production. Consisting of seventeen spans, it is an excellent example of an early twentieth century steel bridge." [HAER-data]

It was demolished in 1995, so it appears the town did not have a bridge for two years while the new one was built.

Street View, Jun 2022

1 of 4 photos posted by Bridges & Tunnels

The Chelyan Bridge, a streamlined Warren through truss with no verticals, carries WV Route 61N over the Kanawha River in Chelyan, West Virginia. It was opened in 1997 to replace a circa 1929 structure that had structurally deteriorated after many decades of use and abuse.

➤ Check out many more photos of the circa 1929 and 1997 bridges at http://bridgestunnels.com/location/chelyan-bridge/

The truss is fracture critical. [trc] The bridge won a merit award. [aisc]