Broadway Sees ‘Light At ... End Of The Tunnel’
Officials Say Bridge Detour A Hassle, But No Complaints
Posted: November 12, 2012
The bridge over Linville Creek on West Springbrook Road in Broadway, which is set to be replaced, is closed so that paving can be done on the approaches to the span. Officials say it will remain off-limits until mid-December. (Photos by Stephen Mitchell)
The old and new bridges over Linville Creek on West Springbrook Road are seen in Broadway on Sunday.
Contractors working for the Virginia Department of Transportation closed off the historic one-lane span over Linville Creek last week so paving could be done on the approaches.
It will remain off-limits until mid-December as part of a VDOT project to build a new bridge and make improvements to the roadway and its intersection with Va. 42, which is Main Street in Broadway. The existing bridge will be preserved for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.
“If the weather’s good, it might [open to traffic] a little sooner,” VDOT spokeswoman Sandy Myers said.
Kyle O’Brien, Broadway town manager, said residents have said the closure is an inconvenience, but not a major problem.
“I think folks will be excited when it’s done,” he said of the project. “I think folks kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel, knowing it’s going to be a major, major improvement when it’s complete.”
Historic Bridge
VDOT is replacing the 114-year-old structure with a two-way bridge, to be located north of the existing span in a project that transportation officials say will greatly increase safety for drivers and pedestrians.
It is scheduled to be complete in April, which will come about 11 months after VDOT awarded a $2.9 million contract to Plecker Construction of Staunton for the project.
The existing bridge, of the Thacher truss architectural design, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Registry.
Contact Jeremy Hunt at 574-6273 or jhunt@dnronline.com