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West Main Bridge Project
Completed 2019
Town of Luray, Virginia
PO Box 629 :: 45 East Main Street, Luray, VA 22835
Town Office: (540) 743-5511 :: West Main Bridge
Fax: (540) 743-1486
History of and around our Bridge
From the Page News & Courier YESTERYEARS, 1883, a comment read:
“Can’t we have a foot bridge across the Hawksbill to avoid the mixing of pedestrians with horses, cattle and vehicles?”
In 1901, the bridge had progressed to begin construction on a metal bridge.
According to an article published in the May 2, 1901 edition of the Page News & Courier, the bridge was to be rebuilt in iron, under construction of the American Bridge Co. One year later, as construction continued, challenging weather threatened delays in the completion of the iron bridge.
On November 27, 1902, a representative from the American Bridge Co. provided an assurance that the bridge would be completed in two weeks’ time. It was suggested in the Nov. 29, 1902 edition of the Page News & Courier, that the finalization of the bridge could be noted as a Christmas gift.
The completion of the iron bridge was finalized on December 31, 1902.
In 1934, the bridge was reconstructed into the concrete design that has remained until today by the Virginia Department of Highways. The Page News & Courier reported on May 26, 1939 that improvements to the bridge were made to include the concrete material and the addition of lights.
Bridge Project Design Overview:
- Similar to original look and size
- Seven Single Span Steel Beams with a poured-in-place reinforced concrete deck
- New abutment seats behind the existing abutments
- Two sidewalks and a similar railing with integrated electric conduits
- Water main pipe-around, and additional conduits for power and communications
- Greenway trail and walking bridge replaced and upgraded
- Estimated weight of new bridge and all listed components: 600 tons
Note of Appreciation & Thanks
Let me begin by thanking everyone mentioned on this page for their hard work, dedication, and most of all, patience. I’m sure there are many that we have forgotten to include, but regardless, my thanks to you as well. We could not have completed this project without the support and guidance of our partners at VDOT, nor without the generous funding allocations from the Federal (FHWA) and State (VDOT) governments. A special thanks to our Commonwealth Transportation Board Member, Dixon Whitworth, and our VDOT Staunton District Administrator, Randy Kiser, PE, for getting things moving at the regional level.
It has been said that it takes a whole town to raise a child. In a similar vein, I believe that it takes a whole community to build a bridge. While this project has been a long one, it was much needed. Ironically, the length of time did allow us to plan out and solve many of the issues that needed to be addressed. While we did have a few bumps along the way, I think the project went fairly smooth, given its location and proximity to so much of what goes on in downtown Luray. Our friends at LDI and the Chamber were instrumental in our local business communication efforts. With good planning, I believe we have rendered a final product that will serve many needs, both now and in the future as Luray grows.
In all, I am thankful for the trust and support of the Mayor & Town Council, and of the community citizens and businesses, in being able to complete this project. We are blessed with dedicated people, and I was fortunate to have so many folks on-board that were so actively engaged. I can’t begin to list the amount of personal time, effort and expertise that were provided to help make this challenging project a success.
It is my sincere hope that this bridge will serve the Town and its citizens for the next 50 years or more. For the Project Teams, Project Personnel, the Mayor and Town Council, and the engaged and participating community members, my heartfelt thanks to you all. I truly appreciate your confidence, understanding, and cooperation during this assignment. It is with no small amount of personal and professional pride that I am able to call Luray my second home.
With best regards I remain, very sincerely yours,
Bryan T. Chrisman
Assistant Town Manager
Project Responsible Person
Thank you
to the businesses and individuals who contributed to the
success of this important - and historic project!
Community Partners
Luray Downtown Initiative, Inc
Page County Chamber of Commerce
Luray Rotary Club
Blue Ridge Bank - Brian Plum
Blue Ridge Bank - Jonathan Comer
Blue Ridge Bank - Juanita Woodward
Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission
Mimslyn Inn - Jim Simms
Page County GIS Office
Shenandoah Valley Electric Coop
John Graves
Rod Graves
Springview Landscaping - Chris & April Judd
Downtown Businesses
Appalachian Outfitters LLC
Inspiring Dreams Studio
The Hawksbill
Northwestern Community Services
Luray United Methodist Church
Jim Fargo
Wanda Tate
Vivian's Flower Shop
Page One
Susan Rocke
Media
Page News & Courier
Daily News Record
Northern VA Daily
WHSV
Standout Arts, LLC - Shannon Sankar
Standout Arts, LLC - Kim Emerson
Form Networks LLC - Charles Smith
Form Networks LLC - Chris Lanier
FPW Architects - David Puckett
Line & Grade
Line & Grade - Daniel Hyer
Line & Grade - Julie Basic
Project Team
Kimley-Horn
Kimley-Horn - Katie Crumm
Kimley-Horn - Bekki Robins Jucksch
Kimley-Horn - Taylor Hollingsurash
Kimley-Horn - Ashley Fenovil
Kimley-Horn - Elizabeth Atherton
Pennoni Associates Inc
Pennoni Associates Inc - Matthew Lawrence
Froehling & Robertson
Froehling & Robertson - Clyde Simmons
Froehling & Robertson - Christy Slaw
Schwartz & Associates
Racey Engineering & Surveying PLLC
Operations Manager, Tyler Austin
Racey Engineering & Surveying PLLC
Associate & Engineering Manager, Gary Shirley
Racey Engineering & Surveying PLLC
Senior Manger & Principal, Pat Racey
Orders Construction Co - Vice President, Charlie Stokes
Orders Construction Co - Project Manager, John Ralston
Orders Construction Co - Superintendent, Earl Adwell
Orders Construction Co - Superintendent, Andy Wills
A Morton Thomas & Associates - Donnie Cummins
A Morton Thomas & Associates - Transportation Construction Inspector Senior, Chris Fisher
A Morton Thomas & Associates - Chad McMurray
The Thrasher Group - Michael Tyler, PE
WRA
WRA - Bill Atkins
WRA - Benjamin Crabill
WRA - Wes Mumaw
Town of Luray
Mayor Barry Presgraves
Council Member, Leroy Lancaster
Council Member, Jerry Schiro
Council Member, Jerry Dofflemyer
Council Member, Leah Pence
Council Member, Ron Vickers
Council Member, Joey Sours
Town Manager, Steve Burke
Assistant Town Manager, Bryan Chrisman
Town Clerk/Treasurer, Mary Broyles
Deputy Town Clerk/Treasurer, Danielle Babb
Utility Billing Clerk, Danielle Alger
Customer Service Clerk, Lesa Lowery
Customer Service Clerk, Deb Nealis
Superintendent of Public Works, Lynn Mathews
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, Pat Goode
Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, Dakota Baker
Assistant Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, Morgan Housden
Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, Joey Haddock
Utility Plant Operator/Water Treatment Plant, David Sedwick
Chief Bow Cook
Lt. Mike Wagoner
Lt. Chris Stoneberger
Commissioner, Tracie Dickson
Commissioner, John Shaffer
Commissioner, Grace Nowak
Planning Commission Chairman, Ronald Good
Commissioner, Brian Sours
Commissioner, Bill Huffman
Commissioner, Frankie Seaward
Planning & Zoning Assistant, Dawn Shores
Administrative Assistant, Ashley Marshall
VDOT
Commissioner, Stephen Brich, PE
Chief Engineer, Garrett Moore, PE
VA Secretary of Transportation, Shannon Valentine
Senior Structural Bridge Engineer, Alvin Trout, PE
Staunton District Engineer, Randy Kiser, PE
VA Commonwealth Transportation Board, Staunton District
Vice Chairman, Dixon Whitworth
Environmental Program Planner, Elizabeth Jordan, PHD
Staunton District Environmental Manager, Bill Jones
Area Construction Engineer, Robbie Good, PE
Construction Manager, Josh Parlett
Inspector, Dick Catron
Project Coordinator/Local Liaison Staunton District, Mike Fulcher
Harrisonburg Residency Administrator, Don Komara, PE
Project Coordinator/Local Liaison Staunton District, Mike Branscome
Former VA Transportation Secretary, Aubrey Lane
Former VDOT Commissioner, Charlie Kilpatrick
OTHER
Federal Highway Administration VA Division
U.S. Representative, Ben Cline
Delegate, Todd Gilbert
Senator Mark Obenshain
Former U.S. Representative, Bob Goodlatte
ABOUT LURAY, VA
