Richmond's Boulevard Bridge turned 85 yesterday and should easily live to see 100, officials say.
Owned by the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, the steel-truss toll bridge carries state Route 161 across a 2,000-foot-wide stretch of the James River.
Built in 1925 by the Boulevard Bridge Corp. to allow access to the Westover Hills community in South Richmond -- then part of Chesterfield County -- it's the area's second longest-standing river crossing behind the Mayo Bridge, constructed in 1913.
Work being completed now has the aging structure looking a bit more youthful. Spot painting, corrosive cleaning and drainage work were performed in the past few months.
It was once known as the "Nickel Bridge" for the 5-cent fare. People who bought lots in Westover Hills had free passage across the bridge until 1960. The RMA purchased the bridge in 1969 while building the expressway system. The toll was raised periodically over the years, reaching 35 cents last year.
In fiscal 2009, the toll bridge collected $1.6 million, all of which goes back into the toll-road system to cover operating costs, maintenance, salaries, capital costs and debt.
The bridge was significantly renovated and resurfaced in the early 1990s, and its structural condition is still rated "good" in annual inspections.
"It's not used to the level interstate bridges are being used," said David Caudill, assistant director of operations and engineer for the RMA.
The bridge has a posted weight limit of 7,500 pounds. About 13,000 vehicles a day use the bridge during the week and 9,000 a day on weekends.
"I fully expect it to reach 100 years old," he said, noting that the average life span for a typical highway bridge is about 50 years.
That's good news for Westover Hills residents, who treasure the structure, using it as the logo for the local community group.
"It's such a huge part of our neighborhood," said Debra McClane, a former president of the Westover Hills Neighborhood Association and an architectural historian. "We refer to it as a 'gateway to the South Side.' We really celebrate that."
Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or whester@timesdispatch.com.
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