The Mayor of Williamstown in Wood County says this month's opening of the Blennerhassett Island Bridge will benefit the entire region.  "I think this is going to be really great for the people that travel and it'll be good for all of us," says Mayor Jean Ford.  "It's a great economic investment and we're just really pleased."

David Nohe, the Mayor of Vienna, agrees.  "They'll come from the other states into our area and we hope they stay."

The $135 million bridge is to the south of Williamstown and to the south of Parkersburg, with Route 50 now bypassing Parkersburg to cross the Ohio River, via the Blennerhassett Island Bridge, into Belpre, Ohio.

"This bridge is the best example of what will happen in these two communities because of the economic development," says First District Congressman Alan Mollohan.  It's impact, though, is expected to go beyond just Belpre and Parkersburg.

Ohio Department of Transportation Director James Beasley says it's about more than just a bridge.  "What is most important is how this corridor will connect business and markets, workers with jobs, connect people with health care and education and families with loved ones and homes."

He says for those reasons investments in road construction are investments in economic development.  "The investments we make in transportation are vital to our shared futures."

MetroNews is taking a closer look at the Blennerhassett Island Bridge project this week as part of a series of Special Reports airing on The Morning News each day.