Manchester Bridge (Virginia)

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Manchester Bridge
Official name	Manchester Bridge
Carries	US 60
Crosses	James River
Locale	Richmond, Virginia
Maintained by	Richmond Dept. of Public Works
Total length	2,906 feet
Opening date	1972
Toll	none

Manchester Bridge in Richmond, Virginia carries U.S. Highway 60 across the James River.

Its length is 2,906 feet (886 m), and it is unusually wide at 110 feet (33.5 m). This is due to a requirement in the Richmond-Manchester merger agreement of 1910 that a free pedestrian bridge be always provided between the two former cities. (The only other highway and pedestrian bridge between the cities at the time of the merger negotiations was a toll bridge, long a grieveance of citizens of Manchester in particular.)

In 1972, the Manchester Bridge replaced the old Ninth Street Bridge (also known as the "free bridge" and the "singing bridge", which remained in service during the construction. When almost completed, it was pressed into temporary service earlier than planned during James River flooding as a result of Hurricane Agnes. The bridge is high above the river, and is not considered in danger of flooding during periods when the river periodically floods.

[edit] Trivia

The pedestrian walkway of the Manchester Bridge is located in the center, to afford access at the south end via stairs under the roadway without crossing heavy traffic lanes which are not signalled at that location. The north end has traffic signals for pedestrians to cross traffic lanes.

The former Ninth Street Bridge was called the "singing bridge" by many children because the creosote-treated wooden deck was covered with lengthwise metal plates for vehicle tire tracks, creating something of a vibrating musical noise as vehicles crossed.

The former Ninth Street Bridge was closed and barely escaped submergence during river flooding resulting from Hurricane Camille in 1969, strengthening the resolve of engineers that the replacement would be high above even flood levels of the river. The old bridge was submerged 3 years later during flooding from Hurricane Agnes, and was not returned to service, since the replacement Manchester Bridge was virtually complete.