You'll Want To Cross These 22 Amazing Bridges In Virginia
By Anna Strock|Updated on May 07, 2021(Originally published May 02, 2021)
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Anna Strock
Author
Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land.
Bridges are something that we sometimes take for granted. Oftentimes, they just feel like a continuation of the road and we don’t stop to think about the incredible feats of engineering that went into making them. And when you think back to a time when rivers, streams, and even ocean inlets kept travelers from getting where they needed to go, it’s easy to realize just how important bridges really are. Especially in Virginia where waterways cut through almost every part of the state, it’s hard to imagine life without them. These 22 bridges in Virginia range from historic to modern, large to small, but they all offer beauty and purpose that, at the end of the day, is pretty impressive.
1. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Cape Charles, Virginia Beach
Known as one of the 7 Engineering Wonders of the World, the CBBT connects the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach near Norfolk. Stretching 23 miles, it is one of only ten bridge–tunnel systems in the world.
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2. The Bowstring Arch Truss Bridge, Bedford County
Built in 1878, this iron bridge spans Roaring Run. After more than a century of traffic, it now serves a footbridge and is the oldest standing metal bridge in Virginia.
This double swing bridge crosses the York River and connects Yorktown to Gloucester Point. Built in 1952, it is the only public crossing of the York River.
4. CSX A-Line Bridge over the James River, Richmond
The lines of this bridge are breathtaking. Built in 1919, it's a railway bridge for CSX Transportation and was designed to provide a quicker route around Richmond.
5. The "High" Bridge at High Bridge State Park, Farmville
This 125-foot high, 2,400-foot long bridge stretches over the Appomattox River and is the longest recreational bridge in Virginia, and one of the longest in the nation. It is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. The park has been recognized by USA Today as one of the Top 20 State Parks in the nation and I'm sure views like this didn't hurt the selection process. Learn more about the High Bridge State Park here.
Built in 1857, Humpback Bridge is Virginia's oldest covered bridge -- and one of the most iconic sites in the state. The bridge closed in 1929 but remains a walking bridge and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Spanning the James River, this 4-lane lift bridge is the easternmost crossing of its kind (without a tunnel) and connects Newport News to Isle of Wight County.
This arched bridge connects Virginia at Rosslyn (Arlington) to Washington, D.C. Built in 1923, it is the oldest surviving bridge across the Potomac River in the DC area.
Located in Giles County, the Sinking Creek Bridge was built c. 1916 . The 70-foot bridge has a tin roof and is now part of a public county-owned park. This bridge is one of three covered bridges in Giles County, which is known as the Covered Bridge Capital of Virginia. The other 2 bridges are privately owned.
One of three covered bridges in Giles County, this privately owned bridge is located on Link's Farm and is not open to the public -- but it's still lovely to see in photos! Built in 1912, the bridge is 49 feet long and provides a path over Sinking Creek.
Considered to be one of the most beautiful bridges in Virginia due to its exceptional masonry, the Valley Railroad bridge crosses Folly Mills Creek. It was built in 1884, as part of a project to connect rail lines from Staunton to Salem via Lexington. Although the bridge is no longer used, VDOT maintains it as a landmark.
As Virginia's longest covered bridge, and one of the most well known, the Meems Bottom bridge stretches 204-feet across the Shenandoah River. Built in 1894, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
Built in 1914 for the Jack's Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Jack's Creek Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of two remaining covered bridges in Patrick County. It's also the annual site of the Patrick County Covered Bridge Festival.
Along with Jack's Creek Bridge, the Bob White Bridge is the one of two Patrick County covered bridges. Built in 1921, the bridge was named after the Bob White Post Office, which was, in turn, named for the local bobwhite quails.
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21. Waterloo Bridge, Culpeper/Fauquier County Line
Once threatened with demolition, this beautiful, historic bridge was built in the 1880s and is a unique iron and steel Pratt through-truss design. Fortunately, enough people spoke up and VDOT completed restoration on the more than 140-year-old bridge in February 2021. It's now open to through traffic after being closed for a few years.
22. And perhaps the most amazing bridge of all - Natural Bridge
Located in Rockbridge County, this bridge is a 215-foot arch, naturally carved out of limestone by Cedar Creek. The bridge was a sacred site to the Monacan Indian tribe for centuries before it was first discovered by Europeans in the 1700s. It has been called one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
I’m sure we’ve left more than a few off the list – but these are definitely among our favorite bridges in Virginia. If you enjoy architectural wonders like bridges, here is some of the most impressive architecture in Virginia.
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More to Explore
Bridges In Virginia
Leah|May 07, 2021
What are the most beautiful structures in Virginia?
We have to hand it to ourselves - humans are really good at building things. We've created impressive skyscrapers, beautiful archways, and incredible monuments. Some of Virginia's most beautiful and breathtaking structures include places like the massive Amphitheater at the Arlington National Cemetery. The round building of stone arches can seat 5,000 people. It completed construction in 1920 and is still standing strong today. Richmond, Virginia is full of impressive buildings. One of the most stunning is the Old City Hall, with high towers and amazing stonework using local granite.
Where can I see the most unique places in Virginia?
Explore some of the coolest, yet most unusual structures in Virginia. The Light of Truth Universal Shrine, or LOTUS, located in Buckingham, is certainly one of a kind. This temple looks like something out of a circus but is quite interesting and serene. It's dedicated to the many faiths and spiritualities found all over the world, and it's open to the public for noon meditation every day. Did you know that Virginia has a castle? One man quit his job and built his dream home - a whole castle - in Aldie, Virginia. Although you can't go inside, you can see it from the outside and be impressed by the castle-ness of it all.
What covered bridges in Virginia can I visit?
One of the most charming parts of Virginia's history is its covered bridges. Back in the day, there were hundreds around the state. Today, there are only seven remaining and of those seven just four are visitable by the public. If you'd like to cross a covered bridge for yourself, check out this list of all four. The list includes picturesque bridges like the Humpback Bridge that we showed before. It's like taking a little trip back in time to the simpler days - plus, the scenery surrounding them is usually quite pretty. You'll definitely want to bring your camera with you if you visit any of them.
