20th Century Highway Bridges
Wil-Cox Bridge

In 1922 (opened in 1924), the Wil-Cox bridge became the first free bridge to span the Yadkin River in the Trading Ford area, ending the use of the Piedmont Toll Bridge, fords and ferries.  It presently carries soutbound US 29/US 70/NC 150 traffic.  The longest and oldest-standing open spandrel arch bridge in the state, it has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  NCDOT plans to abandon its use when the I-85 improvement project has been completed.  Davidson County Commissioners have committed themselves to undertake preservation and restoration of the bridge, to be used as a pedestrian bridge connecting Davidson and Rowan counties.

1951 US 29 bridge

US 29 was widened from two to four lanes in 1951.  This bridge, determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, is scheduled to be replaced as part of the I-85 improvement project.

I-85 bridge

The I-85 bridge was built c. 1957, as part of the nation's Interstate system, a new generation of highway transportation.  The current bridge is scheduled to be demolished and the interstate relocated about 550' farther downriver.

20th Century Rail Bridges

parallel rail bridges, 1906 and 1919

The first of two parallel Warren truss railroad bridges was built in 1906, beside the bridge which had been built in 1890 when the original rail bridge failed.  The second bridge was built in 1919 on the original granite block abutments and piers.  Both bridges have been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.


5 Yadkin bridges

Five Yadkin bridges.  Front to back:  Wil-Cox bridge (1922); 1951 US 29 bridge; 1906 and 1919 rail bridges, I-85 bridge (c. 1957).



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