The Wasena Bridge, carrying traffic over the Roanoke River, train tracks, and Wasena Park between Old Southwest/downtown Roanoke and the Wasena neigbhorhood, was constructed 1938-1939. It was funded by a Public Works Administration (PWA) grant of $149,265 grant toward the total cost of $336,254.
The contractor for the project was M. S. Hudgins, builder was the Wisconsin Bridges & Iron Company, and consulting engineers were Barrington & Cortelyou. The Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company, Milwaukee, was established 1888 At least 16 projects–including several bridges in Mississippi–are attributed to the Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company (Historic American Engineering Record), who manufactured structural steel for buildings, bridges, coal mining and handling structures and metal mining structures (Milwaukee Public Library/Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company Photo Albums).
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Love this post, Suz.
Hard to beat bridges, I always say!
Thank you, Jean. Always good to hear from another bridge lover, who recognizes the significance of bridges more than just the physical. Sadly, this bridge may be demolished in the next couple of years.
That would be horrible if it was demolished.
I can only be hopeful that this community–which seems to have prized thus far many of its historical buildings and bridges, will figure out an alternative. I do realize that bridge needs change, but I would be hopeful it could be addressed without demolition.