Crab Run Lane Truss Bridge, Steel pony truss bridge in Highland County, Virginia.
Crab Run Lane Truss Bridge is a steel structure in Highland County that carries pedestrians and cyclists across a small creek. The bridge employs a lattice-like framework design characteristic of bridges from the late 1800s.
The bridge was built in 1896 by West Virginia Bridge Works of Wheeling using discarded railroad rails as construction material. This approach provided a cost-effective way to repurpose industrial materials into durable infrastructure.
The bridge received recognition on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 2009 for its engineering significance.
The bridge is now protected as a historic structure and serves pedestrians and cyclists rather than vehicles. Visitors should check local conditions before visiting, as seasonal weather or maintenance work may occasionally restrict access.
The structure uses the patented Lane truss design, a specialized lattice form that is rarely seen today. This scarce construction method makes it an important example of early American bridge engineering.
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