Wil-Cox Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wil-Cox Bridge |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Coordinates | 35°43′22″N 80°23′30″W / 35.72276°N 80.39155°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Yadkin River |
| Locale | Rowan and Davidson Counties |
| Owner | Davidson County |
| Maintained by | Davidson County |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Concrete |
| Total length | 1,298.9 feet (395.9 m) |
| Width | 23 feet (7.0 m) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 1922 |
| Construction end | 1924 |
| Construction cost | $212 thousand |
| Opened | 1924 |
| Replaces | Piedmont Toll Bridge |
The Wil-Cox Bridge is a really old and important bridge in North Carolina. It's made of concrete and has a cool arch shape. It crosses the Yadkin River between Rowan and Davidson counties.
It used to carry busy roads like US 29 and US 70. Now, it's a special bridge just for people to walk on. It's part of the Davidson County Greenway system and Yadkin River Park.
The area where the bridge is located has been important for a very long time. People have used this spot to cross the river for hundreds of years. An old mail route from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans even crossed the Yadkin River here. The first bridge, which people paid to use, was built in 1818 by Louis Beard. Another toll bridge was built in 1899 using the same supports.
Contents
The Wil-Cox Bridge: A Highway Story
The Wil-Cox Bridge was finished in 1924. It cost about $212,000 to build. The bridge is about 20-foot-wide (6.1 m) and has seven large arch sections. It was named after two highway leaders, W.E. Wilkinson and Elwood Cox.
This bridge is very special because it's one of only six bridges of its kind in North Carolina. At 1,299 feet (396 m), it's also the longest of these unique bridges.
In 1951, another steel bridge was built next to the Wil-Cox Bridge. This new bridge carried traffic going north on US 29 and east on US 70. However, this steel bridge was closed in 2012. Two other bridges on Interstate 85 (I-85) were built in 1957. These were later replaced by new bridges in 2012.
Saving the Historic Bridge
By 2001, the city of Salisbury wanted to keep the Wil-Cox Bridge safe. When the 1951 US 29/US 70 bridge was going to be replaced, the Wil-Cox Bridge would no longer be used for cars. At first, the state planned to tear it down.
But many people wanted to save it. They thought it should become a pedestrian bridge, a "regional historical artifact." This meant it would be a special part of the area's history. They wanted it to be part of a planned system of walking and biking trails called a greenway.
Davidson County decided to take care of the bridge. The state agreed to give the county $2.5 million, which was the money they would have spent tearing it down. In March 2010, Davidson County voted to take ownership of the bridge.
Bridge Closures and Repairs
On April 8, 2010, the NCDOT closed the Wil-Cox Bridge. This was because inspectors found safety problems in 2008. The bridge was supposed to close later, when the new I-85 bridges were ready. But delays with the I-85 bridges meant the problems on the Wil-Cox Bridge became serious. Repairs were needed to keep it safe for a while longer.
On July 21, 2010, the NCDOT said the bridge would be used as a temporary path during construction. The NCDOT spent $3 million to fix it. The repair work started in February 2011. By April 15, 2011, the repairs were halfway done. Workers even sprayed concrete with a hose to fix damaged areas.
On September 1, 2011, the repairs were finished. This allowed the Wil-Cox Bridge to be used while the US 29-70 bridge was being replaced. The 1951 US 29/US 70 bridge closed on April 17, 2012. A new bridge was expected to open by late 2013.
At first, only cars going south could use the Wil-Cox Bridge. This made things difficult for businesses in Spencer. In August 2012, changes were made so cars could go both ways. The new bridge opened on February 7, 2014. After that, more repairs were planned for the old Wil-Cox Bridge.
A Bridge for Tourists and History
On August 25, 2015, Davidson County leaders voted to take over the bridge. The state gave them $2.5 million for "preservation activities" instead of tearing it down. In September, a group was formed to help attract tourists to the bridge.
The area around the bridge is full of history. It includes Trading Ford and the old site of Camp Yadkin, also called Fort York. This was a fort during the American Civil War. In 1865, a battle happened here, which was the last Confederate victory in North Carolina.
Experts say that Native Americans lived here 12,000 years ago. Spanish settlers even tried to start a colony around 1567. Explorers like John Lederer and John Lawson visited the area in the late 1600s.
Rowan County was created in 1753, and Salisbury in 1755, because this spot was a popular trading path. During the American Revolution, General Nathanael Greene crossed the river here. His enemy, Charles Cornwallis, couldn't follow because of a flood. This event was very important for the Americans in the war.
In 2013, the Wil-Cox Bridge became part of the Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail. Davidson County also bought 13.82 acres at Fort York in 2016. This land, along with the bridge, is meant to attract more visitors.
A special event to start the Yadkin River Park happened on July 30, 2018. The park officially opened on June 21, 2019. There are plans to connect the park to the Carolina Thread Trail. Eventually, trails will lead to places like Boone's Cave Park.
In 2021, groups gave $150,000 for park improvements. These plans include a dog park, sidewalks, and parking. More money is needed for a visitor center, playground, and possibly a museum. The town of Spencer also plans improvements on their side of the river.
Other Bridges Nearby
The North Carolina Railroad Yadkin River Bridges are also nearby. They were built in 1906 and 1919. Each of these bridges has four sections of a special type of truss.
