The presentation discussed efforts to preserve historic bridges in Virginia. It highlighted specific bridges in need of repair, including the Waterloo Bridge between Fauquier and Culpeper counties. It explained that over 90% of historic metal truss bridges and 75% of masonry and concrete arch bridges surveyed decades ago have been lost, often due to lack of maintenance and repair or being disregarded as typical examples of their time. It provided recommendations for how citizens can help preserve bridges, such as advocating for their inclusion in local comprehensive plans, documenting bridges, and donating to advocacy organizations.

1. Historic Bridge
Presentation Efforts
Julie Bolthouse, Fauquier Land Use
Representative

2. 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

3. Update on Local Bridges
• Waterloo Bridge – Fauquier/Culpeper

4. Update on Local
Bridges
• John G. Lewis
Memorial Bridge –
Loudoun

5. Update on Local Bridges
• Morgan’s Ford Low Water Bridge – Clarke/Warren

6. Update on Local Bridges
• Secretarys Sand Road Bridge – Albemarle
Photos by Jeff Werner

7. Local Planning
• Inclusion of a bridge section in the localities
comprehensive plan
Fauquier County – Draft Appendix III in the Transportation Chapter

8. Local Planning
• Establishing historic
districts, scenic
byways, and plans to
maintain rustic rural
roads
Fauquier County – Draft Appendix IV in the Transportation Chapter

9. 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.”

10. Local Research and Recordation
• Research, inventorying, and recording
information about the structure and
connections with historical figures and events.
VDHR’s Database

11. Local Research and Recordation
• Research, inventorying, and recording
information about the structure and
connections with historical figures and events.
VDHR’s Database

12. 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

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

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

16. Why?
• Normal aging and wear and tear
• Poor maintenance and repair
• Too many being disregarded as typical
examples

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Disregarded as Typical
• Reviewed individually without consideration
of scarcity

22. Integrity
• Engineering integrity vs. historical integrity
SEVEN ASPECTS OF INTEGRITY
•Location
•Design
•Setting
•Materials
•Workmanship
•Feeling
•Association
Photo by William E. Stark

23. 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

24. What Can You Do?
• Advocate for local structures and inclusion in
the Comprehensive Plan

25. How to Preserve Historic Bridges
1) Get to know the bridges in your area
2) Find out if bridge is listed on (or eligible for) the
National Register of Historic Places
3) Determine who owns the bridge
4) Understand what procedures a bridge project must
follow
5) School Yourself in the Federal Process
6) Work Directly with the Owner
7) Seek Out and Organize Community Support
8) Support Appropriate Preservation Solutions
9) Seek a New Bridge Owner if Needed
10) Develop a Fundraising Strategy
From National Trust for Historic Preservation and Historic Bridge Foundation

26. What Can You Do?
• Share pictures and any documentation you
have about the structures with local
preservationist, HistoricBridge.org, and PEC

27. What Can You Do?
• Write your representatives about needs for
better maintenance and allocated funding

28. What Can You Do?
• Donate to organizations advocating for these
structures like HistoricBridge.org, PEC, and
Preservation Virginia

29. Questions?
Julie Bolthouse
Fauquier Land Use Representative
Piedmont Environmental Council
www.pecva.org
45 Horner St.
Warrenton, VA 20186
540-347-2334 ext. 7042