Nokesville’s new bridge project may not provide the additional road capacity we thought it would

NOKESVILLE, Va. — A new bridge on Aden Road may not provide additional lane capacity as promised. 

The new one-lane bridge that replaces an old one-lane truss bridge over railroad tracks in Nokesville will open on Wednesday.

From VDOT: 

A new Aden Road bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railroad in Prince William County will open to one-lane traffic on Wednesday, Dec. 7, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

The crossing has been closed since May 2015 in order to repair the historic 134-year-old wrought-iron truss bridge. VDOT originally planned to repair the truss bridge and reopen it for northbound use, however, upon removal, the bridge showed substantial structural deficiencies. The extensive repairs needed to return the truss bridge to service for vehicles would also remove it from the National Register of Historic Places.

VDOT is working with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the community to determine how the old truss bridge will be preserved and used to pay homage to its history in the future.

A detour that routed drivers down Marsteller Drive into Nokesville during construction of the new bridge is no longer in place. 

The original plan to build the new bridge, and put the old bridge back into service to carry cars at a total cost of about $5 million. The old bridge was taken to Florida for restoration work. after workers found more-than-expected damage on the old bridge. Now, officials said the old bridge could be used as a pedestrian-only crossing.  

From VDOT spokeswomen Ellen Kamilakis:

“The truss bridge will come back from Florida, but the decision has not been made as to its function. If we were to repair it to the standard that it could carry vehicles, it would no longer meet the requirements for the National Register of Historic Places. If we put it back in service as a pedestrian bridge, pedestrian facilities would need to be constructed. The discussion is in process between the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, VDOT, the community, and other stakeholders to determine the course of  action.”

Brentsville Supervisor Jeanine Lawson was under the impression that the old bridge would be put back into use for cars. 

“We have some questions for VDOT,” stated a  spokeswoman in Lawson’s office. 

Updated 

VDOT will return to the old bridge span to Nokesville where it will carry cars next to the new bridge opening Wednesday, according to a spokeswoman for Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson.