User:Cmh2315wk/Clarkton Bridge

Clarkton Bridge in Charlotte and Halifax Counties, Virginia is an historic highway bridge over the Staunton River. The bridge formerly carried Virginia Route 620. The bridge was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register on June 8, 2006 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 26, 2007.

Construction
The Clarkton Bridge was constructed in 1902 by the Virginia Bridge & Iron Company of Roanoke, Virginia. The bridge is a pin-connected steel Camelback truss, supported by steel cylinder piers. The bridge is 692 feet long and consists of two Camelback through truss spans and twelve steel deck beam approach spans. Construction of the bridge began in October 1901 and the bridge was completed and ready for inspection in December of 1901. However, a flood damaged the bridge and washed away the approaches before the bridge was opened. Repairs to the bridge were made and the bridge was opened in July 1902.

Reopening
The Clarkton Bridge was closed to vehiclular traffic in 1998 and scheduled for removal. A cooperative effort between stakeholders saved the bridge from demolition and it was reopened as a recreational bridge in October 2005.