Serving three counties along the Ohio River in the Wheeling, West Virginia –Bridgeport, Ohio, region, the Belomar metropolitan planning organization is shaped by dense development and challenging topography. Belomar faced growing challenges to connect communities across steep hillsides and river corridors; B&N was tasked with identifying where multimodal connections and transit services were needed most.
These conditions complicate transportation planning but also create opportunities to better align transit, walking and bicycling investments to support daily travel, access to services and economic vitality.
Data-Driven Planning Grounded in Community Experience
B&N led a comprehensive regional assessment of pedestrian, bicycle and transit networks, with a focus on transit-supportive infrastructure such as sidewalks, bike lanes and shared-use paths. These elements are critical to safe and reliable access to transit stops and services.
The team combined multiple analytical methods to identify where investments would deliver the greatest benefit. This included accessibility analysis using network-based tools to evaluate transit reach and trip demand, review of pedestrian activity and analysis of transit-needs demographics. Existing services provided by the Eastern Ohio Regional Transit Authority and the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority were also evaluated to identify opportunities for improved support and expansion.
Engagement That Informed Practical Solutions
A robust public engagement process ensured the plan reflected lived experience. Through focus groups, a public meeting and surveys, residents and stakeholders identified destinations with limited transit and active transportation access, including:
- Multifamily housing
- Healthcare facilities
- Major employers
- Commercial and community centers
Participants consistently emphasized the need for practical and reliable fixed-route and paratransit services, particularly for shift workers, low-income households and an aging population.
Building on What Works
Rather than starting from scratch, the plan builds on proven local initiatives, including Wheeling’s Complete Streets efforts, the Wheeling Heritage Trail and the region’s established fixed-route transit system. Key recommendations advance:
- Transit-supportive infrastructure in priority corridors
- Microtransit and demand-response strategies
- Short- and long-term bicycle and pedestrian connections linking neighborhoods to jobs, downtowns, and recreational assets
Together, these strategies provide a clear, community-supported roadmap for an inclusive transportation system that improves mobility and access across the Ohio River valley.