Have you ever heard of the Wilson Creek Bridge? It’s among the tallest of America’s bridges, and it’s located right here in Virginia. Technically, it’s the second-tallest bridge in Virginia, with the first being the U.S. Route 460 Connector Bridge. Yet it’s the Wilson Creek Bridge that holds the distinction of having the highest bridge span in the state of Virginia. Towering 175 feet above the ground, the bridge spans nearly 2,000 feet and features a five-span structure. Here’s more on the engineering marvel that is the Wilson Creek Bridge.

Nestled in the foothills of Appalachia awaits a true architectural wonder: the Wilson Creek Bridge.
Virginia Department of Transportation / flickr
Also known as the Smart Road Bridge, this 1,985-foot crossing features four double-tapered piers and 100 cast-in segments.
Virginia Department of Transportation / flickr
As you can imagine, the construction process of building this bridge was far from easy. Not only the height but the difficult terrain of the ground meant that assembling the bridge was a challenge.
Virginia Department of Transportation / flickr

Related Stories

The Longest Covered Bridge In Virginia, Meems Bottom Bridge, Is 204 Feet Long

The Longest Covered Bridge In Virginia, Meems Bottom Bridge, Is 204 Feet Long

 A Remarkable Bridge In Virginia, The James River Bridge Is A Historic Work Of Art

A Remarkable Bridge In Virginia, The James River Bridge Is A Historic Work Of Art

 Housed In A Former Civilian Conservation Corps Building From 1933, Rock Roadhouse Winery Is A Virginia Treasure

Housed In A Former Civilian Conservation Corps Building From 1933, Rock Roadhouse Winery Is A Virginia Treasure
Yet even if you didn't know about the technical challenges, you'd appreciate the bridge for its beauty. Framed by the mountains, it's graceful, sleek, and purposeful.
Virginia Department of Transportation / flickr
In fact, the bridge has been awarded the Bridge Award of Excellence by the American Segmental Bridge Institute and also received a place among America's Top 10 Structural Designs in the 2002 Design Awards.
Virginia Department of Transportation / flickr
What's also unique about Wilson Creek Bridge is that it's part of the Smart Road Project, meaning that it's only open for the purpose of testing pavement technologies.
Bryant Altizer / Google
Eventually, however, the road will extend to connect Route 460 to I-81, at which point it will be open to all traffic.
Don Braffitt / Wikipedia

Had you ever heard about the Wilson Creek Bridge? What do you think about this impressive structure? If you can’t get enough of our state’s unique bridges, then you’ll love exploring these beautiful covered bridges in Virginia.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Virginia

Featured Addresses
District B-01, VA, USA