Bridging History

Historic Bridge Presentation Efforts

Julie Bolthouse, Fauquier Land Use Representative

Why Does PEC Care About Historic Bridges?

• Character and sense of place• Preserving our history• Connects people to the road and its history• Connects people to the surrounding landscape• Supports heritage, agricultural, and eco tourism

Photo by Daniel McFarland

Update on Local Bridges

• Waterloo Bridge – Fauquier/Culpeper

Update on Local Bridges

• John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge –Loudoun

Update on Local Bridges

• Morgan’s Ford Low Water Bridge – Clarke/Warren

Update on Local Bridges

• Secretarys Sand Road Bridge – Albemarle

Photos by Jeff Werner

Local Planning

• Inclusion of a bridge section in the localities comprehensive plan

Fauquier County – Draft Appendix III in the Transportation Chapter

Local Planning

• Establishing historic districts, scenic byways, and plans to maintain rustic rural roads

Fauquier County – Draft Appendix IV in the Transportation Chapter

Local Planning

• Establishing historic districts, scenic byways, and plans to maintain rustic rural roads

Fauquier County – Draft Appendix IV in the Transportation Chapter

2014 General Assembly, “whenever

practicable, to maintain rural gravel

roads in traditional alignment, surface

treatment, and width; and protect banks,

stone walls, and roadside trees in all

rural, agricultural and historic areas.”

Local Research and Recordation

• Research, inventorying, and recording information about the structure and connections with historical figures and events.

VDHR’s Database

Local Research and Recordation

• Research, inventorying, and recording information about the structure and connections with historical figures and events.

VDHR’s Database

Need One Comprehensive and Publically Accessible State Inventory

• Federal Highway Administration –National Bridge Inventory

• Virginia Department of Transportation –Bridges and Large Culvert Conditions

• Virginia Transportation Research Council –Surveys of Metal Truss Bridges and Masonry and Concrete Arch Bridges

• Virginia Department of Historic Resources –VCRIS database of historic resources

Over 90% of the metal truss bridges surveyed by VTRC in 1975 are already lost.

About 75% of the masonry and concrete arch bridges surveyed by VTRC in 1984 are already lost.

Why?

• Normal aging and wear and tear

• Poor maintenance and repair

• Too many being disregarded as typical examples

Poor Maintenance and Repair

Waterloo Bridge had needed the same 18 repairs since at least 2004 until the bridge finally closed in 2014.

Remington Bridge has a number of needed repairs and has been slated for replacement/rehabilitation since 2010.

Photo by Joe Martin

Poor Maintenance and Repair

• Bridges bypassed and left in place are no longer inspected or maintained.

Falling Creek Bridge, Chesterfield County

Pembroke Bridge, Giles County

Photo by Mapmikey

Photo by Phil Riggan/Times-Dispatch

Poor Maintenance and Repair

• Bridges closed to traffic but left open to pedestrians are not maintained and often further deteriorate until complete closure.

Clarkton Bridge, Charlotte County Goose Creek Bridge, Loudoun County

Photo by The Clarkton Bridge Alliance Photo by Daniel McFarland

Disregarded as Typical

• Common examples of the time period in which they were built…

Aldie Mill, Photo by NOVA Parks

Photo from St. James Episcopal Church Leesburg, VA

Disregarded as Typical

• Reviewed individually without consideration of scarcity

Integrity

• Engineering integrity vs. historical integrity

SEVEN ASPECTS OF INTEGRITY

•Location

•Design

•Setting

•Materials

•Workmanship

•Feeling

•Association

Photo by William E. Stark

No Allocated Funding Source

VDOT Sources Available:

• Surface Transportation Program (STP)

• State of Good Repair (SGR)

• Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP)

• Smart Scale Project

• Transportation Alternatives Fund

• Revenue Share Project

What Can You Do?

• Advocate for local structures and inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan

How to Preserve Historic Bridges

1) Get to know the bridges in your area2) Find out if bridge is listed on (or eligible for) the

National Register of Historic Places3) Determine who owns the bridge4) Understand what procedures a bridge project must

follow5) School Yourself in the Federal Process6) Work Directly with the Owner7) Seek Out and Organize Community Support8) Support Appropriate Preservation Solutions9) Seek a New Bridge Owner if Needed10) Develop a Fundraising Strategy

From National Trust for Historic Preservation and Historic Bridge Foundation

What Can You Do?

• Share pictures and any documentation you have about the structures with local preservationist, HistoricBridge.org, and PEC

What Can You Do?

• Write your representatives about needs for better maintenance and allocated funding

What Can You Do?

• Donate to organizations advocating for these structures like HistoricBridge.org, PEC, and Preservation Virginia

Questions?

Julie BolthouseFauquier Land Use Representative

Piedmont Environmental Councilwww.pecva.org45 Horner St.Warrenton, VA 20186540-347-2334 ext. 7042