Built in 1961,[1] the southern approach to this bridge is adjacent to the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station.

From 1951 until the opening of this bridge in 1964, PA 168 was accessed across the river via Cooks Ferry.

On May 14, 1969, the Chester Bridge (1896–1970) between East Liverpool, Ohio and Chester, West Virginia, which had carried U.S. 30 across the Ohio River, was permanently closed.

That detour used Ohio State Route 39 through the East End of East Liverpool to reach Pennsylvania State Route 68.

From there, it proceeded southwest along highway 168 through Hookstown, where it then turned and rejoined U.S. 30 about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) south of that hamlet.