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.
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.
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.
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