Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 13, 1994 TAG: 9403130086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DOSWELL LENGTH: Medium
The big green spans are too old and rickety to withstand the growing traffic on U.S. 1 and must be replaced quickly.
Although unremarkable at first glance, the twin spans across the North Anna River are historic, and deserve a good retirement home, state officials and historians said.
"The bridges are kind of wearing out," said Andy Farmer, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. One already has been closed.
Both spans are steel truss bridges built by the Roanoke Iron & Bridge Co.
The southbound span was built in 1926 as part of the original U.S. 1, which linked Maine and Florida. The northbound span was added nine years later when the highway was expanded to four lanes.
They are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places because of their age and design, but aren't on the list, said Margaret Peters, spokeswoman for the state Department of Historic Resources.
"This is becoming more and more of an issue as these old bridges begin to deteriorate," said Patricia D. Wilson, director of the Mid-Atlantic region of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Never intended for the heavy traffic common along the East Coast now, many bridges built in the early 20th century are crumbling. While steel truss bridges were common, they are disappearing rapidly, historians said.
"When we're able to work early on with state highway departments, alternatives can be found to just taking it for granted that the bridge will be demolished," Wilson said.
In Virginia, the Department of Transportation struck a deal with preservationists a few years ago. Whenever possible, highway officials would try to recycle potentially historic structures like bridges.
"We agreed that if it is no longer a safe bridge they could go ahead and market it, try to find someone who will use the bridge," Peters said.
Anyone adopting the bridges must show they will be used in a historically appropriate way. And the clincher: The new owners must take apart the 140-foot spans and move them.
by CNB