Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge, Road bridge in Richmond, Virginia.
The Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge is a road bridge carrying U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 301 across the James River in Richmond. Its six-lane structure provides direct vehicle passage from north to south across the waterway.
The structure was originally built in 1934 as a four-lane toll bridge and underwent complete reconstruction during the 1980s, completed in 1989. This major rebuilding transformed it to meet the city's growing transportation demands.
The bridge became the subject of community discussions starting in 2020, reflecting how cities reconsider their public symbols and historical naming. Local conversations about what the structure represents continue to shape how people think about the space.
The bridge provides free passage with three lanes in each direction and is open daily to traffic. A pedestrian footbridge beneath the road deck connects Tredegar Street to Belle Isle for those on foot.
A hidden feature is the pedestrian path running beneath the main roadway that directly connects Belle Isle in the river to the city. Most drivers crossing above never notice this covered passage below them.
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