Memorial Bridge (Roanoke, Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Memorial Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 37°16′03″N 79°58′04″W / 37.267596°N 79.967905°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of  US 11 (Memorial Avenue), pedestrians and bicycles |
| Crosses | Roanoke River |
| Locale | Roanoke, Virginia |
| Maintained by | Virginia Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 785 feet (239 m) |
| Width | 54 feet (16 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | May 6, 1926 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 13,000 |
The Memorial Bridge is an important bridge in Roanoke, Virginia. It stretches 785-foot-long (239 m) over the Roanoke River. This bridge helps connect different parts of the city, like the Grandin Village area, with central Roanoke.
It carries two lanes of U.S. Route 11 (also called Memorial Avenue), plus paths for people walking and biking.
Contents
Building the Memorial Bridge
Construction of the Memorial Bridge began in the summer of 1925. A company called W.W. Boxley built it. The bridge has five main sections, each about 120 feet (37 m) long.
It officially opened for cars and people on May 6, 1926. The total cost to build this bridge was $282,750.
Why the Bridge Was Dedicated
Even though the bridge was open for months, its official dedication ceremony happened on August 30, 1926. A special guest, U.S. Representative Clifton Woodrum, attended the event.
The dedication was delayed because it took a while to create the special bronze plaques for the bridge. The Memorial Bridge was officially dedicated to the brave soldiers from Roanoke who fought in World War I.
Plaques on the Bridge
The bridge features five special plaques. The Roanoke City Council decided what would be written on them. Four of the plaques have famous quotes from important historical figures. These include Patrick Henry, Theodore Roosevelt, Stonewall Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson.
The fifth plaque is very special because it lists the names of all the soldiers from Roanoke who died in World War I. Many veterans did not attend the first dedication. This was because the bridge was not originally planned as a monument to them.
The bridge was officially rededicated on November 11, 1991. This was 65 years after its first dedication ceremony.
Restoring the Memorial Bridge
Over time, the Memorial Bridge started to wear down. Salt used to melt ice in the winter caused parts of the bridge to rust. Because of this, a big restoration project began in April 2002.
This project cost $1.17 million and was finished by the spring of 2003. Workers replaced rusty parts and removed old streetcar tracks from the road. They also put a new surface on the road.
Making the Bridge Safer
During the restoration, the bridge was also made safer for everyone. The number of lanes for cars was changed from four to two. This helps to slow down traffic and make it safer.
In addition to fewer car lanes, a median (a raised area in the middle) was added. Two bike lanes were also put on the bridge, giving cyclists a safe place to ride.
