Lynchburg Business

Bridge to Cabell: An Extension to Downtown Lynchburg?

Issue: May 2010 by Mitchell Malcheff in Architecture, Engineering & Construction, Inside The Magazine

One of Lynchburg’s historic areas, Daniel’s Hill, home to Point of Honor, is receiving a makeover of sorts. The D Street Bridge, one of only two entrances into the neighborhood, which is primarily located on Cabell Street, is being rebuilt. The bridge will be complete in December 2010 and may help to expand a burgeoning downtown business district.

City Construction Manager, Charles Grant, says the bridge was slated for renovation in 2005 during a city inventory of bridge conditions. Over the years, the carrying capacity of the bridge had been reduced as the more than 100-year-old bridge aged. A 2008 survey led to an in-depth evaluation of the bridge. The city hired Schwartz and Associates to do a thorough evaluation of possible repair options. The consulting company found cracks in the substructure, which is the middle level of the three parts of a bridge—the deck, substructure and foundation.

Three possible options were on the table, according to Grant—a complete replacement, a replacement of the bridge with an earth culvert or divert Cabell Street to connect it to the John Lynch Bridge. Because of the historic nature of the area, rerouting the street was deemed too expensive and a new bridge was determined as the best course of action. Fort Chiswell Construction was awarded the bid in the fall of 2009 and began construction on the $3.4 million project in November of that same year. The final cost for the replacement will be roughly $4 million, including the design, consulting and evaluation process, according to Project Manager, Ed Wood.

Daniel’s Hill residents were disappointed at first that the bridge was closed, according to Grant, but were happy that something was being done about the aging structure.

“They were dismayed that the bridge had to be closed…but they were pleased that we were working with them and they were pleased that the bridge was going to be replaced,” Grant said.

“They were very responsive and eager to see a new one put in,” added Wood.

For residents on the lower end of Cabell Street, the closure has meant that a trip to downtown adds a roughly one-mile drive up to Rivermont Avenue and over to 5th Street instead of a short jaunt across the river. Wood made sure, though, that residents were informed months in advance of the plans and were involved in the planning process.

Grant said that a fixed completion date of December 2, 2010, was established as a way of reassuring residents that the inconvenience would be temporary. Residents were further appeased by an assurance that the bridge would reflect the historic nature of the area. A federal Enhancement Grant, originally obtained by the city to restore the area’s brick-paved streets and streetlights, was partially diverted into the bridge project so the design could be tailored.

“We tried to make sure that we matched the infrastructure to the degree possible based on funding of the neighborhood,” Wood said. “There were some components that we were able to add to the bridge that reflected the neighborhood itself, the historic nature of the neighborhood.”

Mike Bedsworth, owner of the Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast, appreciated the uniqueness the former bridge added to Daniel’s Hill.

“We personally hate to see the old one go, because it had a lot of character,” he said.

Built in 1878, the Carriage House is emblematic of the character Bedsworth speaks of. However, he believes the bridge will help to make the area flow more seamlessly into the downtown area.

“I think it’s an attractive area even without the bridge; it’s a great area. I think the bridge being open would give you better access, put you closer to downtown,” Bedsworth said.

Marjette Upshur, Director of Economic Development for the City of Lynchburg, said that the revitalization efforts in downtown are ready to take the next step and expand beyond the traditional downtown boundaries.

“I think downtown is at such a stage now that when the bridge gets in…that becomes much more of where you might see folks locating a business, like down at the end of Cabell Street…there actually are some zoned business [areas] and I know they’ve been trying to either sell some of those buildings or probably recruit people, and I see those as downtown moving into the next step,” Upshur said. “When there are no longer buildings [available] right there on Main, Commerce and Church Streets, that’s a natural place for people to start looking at some of these mixed-use housing, retail, or maybe office [space].”

While some have voiced concern over the city pouring money into an area that usually sees light traffic, Upshur says that to survive, the city must maintain its downtown. Since revitalization began in earnest, property values in the downtown area have risen from $75 million to more than $134 million.

“I just ask people, ‘If you can tell me of a city that is economically vibrant and has not redone their downtown, please bring it to me and show me.’ It’s like looking at one of your arms and saying I don’t need that anymore,” Upshur said.

Grant also added that a city must think long-term regardless of the project.

“Cities are forever,” he said. “They’re not 20-year ventures, and when we do this, we need to make sure we do it right…we need to be spending the public’s money the best way we can.”