Enslow Park Bridge Weight Limit Slashed to 9 Tons, School Buses Rerouted in Huntington

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Families in Huntington's Enslow Park neighborhood are adjusting their morning routine after the bridge that leads into the neighborhood was found to be in worse shape than anyone would like.

The City of Huntington says it learned Tuesday that the weight limit on the Enslow Park Bridge has to come down from 33 tons to just 9 tons because of the bridge's deteriorating condition. That is a big drop, and it means school buses and some of the city's larger vehicles can no longer cross.

According to the West Virginia Division of Highways, the lower limit comes after inspectors found section loss on several of the bridge's beams. In plain terms, parts of the steel holding the bridge up have worn away over time. The state says the bridge's condition will move its replacement along faster, with that work expected to happen in 2027.

What it means for students

Cabell County Schools says three bus routes are affected: buses 876, 769 and 799. Those buses can no longer drive across the bridge, so pickup and drop-off for students in the Enslow Park neighborhood will now happen on the other side of the bridge until a new one is built.

The good news is the buses will keep running on their regular schedules. The school district is asking students to be at their stop about five minutes earlier than their usual pickup and drop-off times so everything keeps moving smoothly.

Parents of kids on those routes will want to talk with their children about the new stop location and plan for a little extra walking time, especially as the mornings get darker and colder heading into November.

City working with the state

City leaders say they are working with the state to sort out the situation and keep disruptions to residents and city services as small as possible. The city noted the Enslow Park Bridge was already on the state's list for replacement, and it plans to keep coordinating with state officials and update residents as more information becomes available.

The bridge sits near the 12th Street Bridge, which is already being replaced as part of a series of bridge projects around the city. For folks who live in and around Enslow Park, it adds up to a stretch of detours and patience while that work gets done.

Bridges like this one are part of everyday life in a state full of creeks, hollows and hills, and plenty of West Virginians cross an aging span or two on their way to work or school. Keeping kids safe comes first, and a lower weight limit now is a whole lot better than a bigger problem later.

If you live in Enslow Park or have a student on one of the affected routes, keep an eye on updates from the City of Huntington and Cabell County Schools for any further changes.