Bridges of Brunswick County

Brunswick County had many wooden trestle bridges, but the Meherrin River Bridge was one of only a few truss bridges on the A&D between Pinners Point at Portsmouth and Danville. Built in 1893, the 150-feet-long, through-truss, pin-connected span was supported by two steel towers secured into concrete block footings. Nearly forty years later, to allow heavier steam locomotives to operate, the Southern Railway added new timber structural reinforcement called falsework. That falsework created a hazard when the river rose, because it could wash out and break the line, so railroad bridge gangs were sent to keep it clear of drift. In 1939, the issue was solved when the bridge was renewed with a new heavier truss and concrete piers, and the prefabricated bridge span for the Tobacco Heritage Trail now rests on those piers installed in 1939.

Virginia · United States