West Virginia daily

It opened in January 1955 at the behest of a group of insurance companies that also initiated construction of the West Virginia Turnpike, Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Mackinac Bridge.

The Parkersburg Memorial Bridge stretches across the Ohio River between Parkersburg and Belpre, Ohio. It spans nearly a mile, counting the approaches and connecting links.

"Nine out of 10 drivers probably use this bridge," said McAfee, operations manager of the memorial bridge. "People use the bridge like it's their own."

The bridge, which is owned and operated by the city of Parkersburg, charges 35 cents for cars and up to $2 for vehicles with five or more axles.

"Ninety-eight percent of the people who come through are pretty neat," said McAfee, who sometimes helps out by collecting tolls. "But there's always a few who don't want to pay 75 cents for a truck. You don't argue with the Turnpike people, you pay the toll. Who argues about paying 75 cents?"

Bridge revenues amount to $1.2 million a year, which funds maintenance expenses and the salaries of 30 toll employees. About $250,000 is set aside annually for a demolition fund.

This is cache, read story here