James River Bridge, Vertical lift bridge in Newport News, United States
The James River Bridge is a steel vertical-lift bridge spanning 7,425 meters of water with a central lift span of 126 meters. The structure carries four lanes of traffic and serves as a direct crossing point over the river for vehicles.
The original bridge opened in 1928 as the longest structure of its kind spanning water. The current four-lane version was completed in 1980 to replace the earlier design.
The bridge connects two communities and enables daily travel across the river. You'll see fishermen and boat operators regularly passing beneath or working on the water below.
The lift span rises about 145 feet when ships need to pass, which can happen during daytime hours when traffic is heaviest. Drivers should expect occasional closures to accommodate maritime traffic crossing the river.
A section of the original 1928 structure was converted into a public fishing pier extending roughly half a mile from the Newport News shore. This preserved segment is used primarily by anglers today.
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