On May 9, 1999, the bridge was reopened and subsequently dedicated to Nick Joe Rahall, the then-congressman for the 3rd District of West Virginia. It was the first public works project to bear his name.
The bridge reopened on May 9, 1999, and was subsequently named in tribute to Nick Joe Rahall, the congressman who represented West Virginia's 3rd District. This was a groundbreaking initiative as it was the first public infrastructure project to bear his name.