US 29 Business Staunton River Bridge

Heading north on US 29 Business over the Staunton River, through the dramatic entrance to Altavista, Virginia.

**This bridge has been demolished**

Altavista, Virginia is one of several towns in the foothills that have been bypassed by a modern freeway alignment of US 29. Prior to that, however, this striking standard plan 1928 truss bridge carried the main load of traffic from Atlanta to Washington and points in between during the pre-Interstate Highway era. Today it serves only local traffic, but its continued existence reminds us of how the roads of today have sacrificed charm and distinction for convenience and safety.

All spans on the bridge follow the standardized designs of the Virginia State Highway Commission (predecessor to today's VDOT) that were used in the 1920s and 30s. Though there is no builder's plaque present on the bridge, it is likely that the truss spans were constructed by the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company, which was perennial contractor for the VSHC and constructed other bridges using standard plans. The two through truss spans over the Staunton River utilize the Polygonal Warren configuration. VSHC standard plan Polygonal Warren spans often featured a five-section top chord and the majority of the diagonal members (the main load-bearing structural members on this configuration) use stronger built-up beams. Less emphasis is placed on the vertical members, some of which have been omitted, where two diagonal members meet at the bottom chord, between the "V's" on the bridge. Clearly, this is a design that relies on the arched-shape of the top chord and the robust construction of the diagonal members, as opposed to the reinforcement that results from the addition of vertical members. In all likelihood, this truss design was chosen because it could span half the width of the river, thus requiring only one pier to be placed in the water.

Opposite each through truss span are two five-panel Pratt pony truss side spans, which also utilize the standard plan Pratt configuration, identical to the VA 57 Banister River Bridge. On the south end a single pony truss span was likely constructed instead of multiple tee-beam spans due to the steepness of the river bank. A matching span on the north end seems to have been constructed not due to the circumstances of the terrain but rather to give the bridge a consistent appearance. Beyond the north pony truss are the 22 concrete tee beam spans. The beams of this style are noted for their slight curve above the piers, giving them a more pleasant rounded appearance that conforms well to the design of the piers. Another notable feature of the approach section of the bridge is how it inclines on the north side, an incline that occurs after crossing a relatively flat floodplain. The steepness of the incline is apparent in one of the pictures below. This is a rare case in which the approaches of the bridge slope downwards toward the main span.

The piers supporting the truss spans were built in a Neoclassical style, arched between two round columns. Contrasting with this is the minimalist-styled railings used on the tee beam sections and suspended sidewalk. The roadway railing is the standard plan concrete square fence style, while the trusses have modern Armco railings that have most likely replaced the original pipe-style ones (which remain present on the nearby Riverbend Road Bridge). The sidewalk railing is also in a plain style; it may have been replaced at some point. The sidewalk itself is cantilevered off the side of the bridge. It is narrow and has a plank deck, and thus can be somewhat unnerving to walk on, especially when you can see the brown water of the river through the gaps in the planks. Furthermore, it tends to vibrate somewhat when cars drive past. I walked the entire length of it twice and even took photos of the adjacent railroad bridge from it; however, I would not do so again after seeing the poor condition of many of the cantilevers.

Adjacent to the bridge is a concrete Art Deco water intake tower, which is accessed from the suspended sidewalk. Even though it was constructed around the same time as the bridge, its design does not complement the bridge's piers.

This bridge is a significant structure not only in its apparent beauty and historical value, but also for several design features: it is an unusual example of pony and through truss spans connected together; it is a rare case of a bridge having both Warren and Pratt spans; and it is notable for the downward slope of the approach to the main spans, as mentioned before. Furthermore, it provides a memorable and exciting entrance to Altavista, something that few other towns are distinguished by. However, I fear that it may be subjected to the wrecking ball in the future for the typical reasons, such as narrow deck width, low overhead clearance, and structural deficiency. It also carries a significant amount of traffic, with many of the cars driving well over the 35 MPH speed limit. The bridge has been a victim of deferred maintenance and poorly-executed patch jobs that have left it in a dilapidated condition. Sadly, VDOT will probably elect to replace it with a mundane slab bridge, instead of choosing the more sensible option of rehabilitation, allowing it to remain as a functional structure for decades to come.

Facts

• Year erected: 1928
• Route Carried: US 29 Business (Main Street)
• Crosses: Staunton (Roanoke River)
• Location: Altavista, Campbell County; and Hurt, Pittsylvania County, VA.
• Design: Two five-panel, riveted Polygonal Warren through truss spans; Two five-panel, riveted Pratt pony truss spans; 22 curved concrete tee beam approach spans.
• Inside width: 22.6 ft., two lanes
• Total structure length: 1399.9 ft
• National Bridge Inventory ID: 4159
• Coordinates: 37° 6'16.71"N, 79°17'42.49"W

Pictures

• Left: a side view of the north through truss. Center: an oblique view of the north through truss. Right: the south through truss.

• North and south pony truss spans, respectively.

• East and West elevations of the through truss spans.

• Various portal shots

• L: A partial shot of the underside of the north through truss. C: Looking north across the approach spans (note the incline). R: a single tee-beam span over the railroad track.

• Top chord connections on one of the through truss spans.

• Top chord connections on a pony truss span.

• L: A standard Virginia date plate. Right: the Art Deco-styled water intake tower adjacent to the bridge.