The Aetnaville Bridge that connects Wheeling Island to Ohio, should be saved. It is a popular pedestrian footwalk, a bike trail; popular with joggers, grocery shoppers, the elderly, those who are not fortunate enough to have a vehicle, and people walking to work. Many local photographers use this bridge for wedding and senior portrait photography, due to the beautiful rustic setting that is the Aetnaville Bridge. It is also one of the last exits off of Wheeling Island.

We are aware there is some rust on this bridge, but we have been told it needs some TLC and that the rust is surface-level only, and pieces of the bridge are NOT falling into the river. It is also located in a city neighborhood, and many mothers (and fathers) with children in tow can be seen daily, walking back and forth with bags, from grocery shopping on the Ohio side of the bridge, and back to their homes on Wheeling Island.

We feel the lack of respect for the historical value of the Aetnaville Bridge, is disheartening. The north end of Wheeling Island would never be the same without the bridge.

All of us want our children to either come back, or stay in Wheeling. We do not think demolishing things of beauty that remind them of their childhood is going to help with that. There is much love for the Aetnaville Bridge, as you can see by all these signatures.

There really isn't any hope left for Wheeling, if we tear it all down. Who wants to live here and reminisce about the past, but not care about the present or the future? My children do not have the good memories I have of Wheeling to share, because all they got to see were old decrepit abandoned buildings and vacant lots. Maybe if old things were fixed, instead of just gotten rid of, people would be more likely to come here, or return here, and fill the Wheeling area with businesses.

Last- Demolishing the Aetnaville Bridge, would eliminate one of the last exits off Wheeling Island, should God-forbid an emergency situation arise.