Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) -- Richmond has received five million from the federal government, basically an earmark from Senator Mark Warner (D), to use to rebuild the Mayo Bridge. The Bridge is over 100 years old, and in need of work.
The five million will not cover (not even close) the costs of the project, but there is also an effort to try and get the Commonwealth to pick up costs. There is another nine million that was appropriated from the federal government last year as well.
Dr. John Kim, Richmond's bridge engineer, says replacing rather than renovating the bridge will cost more, but add over fifty years to the lifespan. He says it'll take two years from full funding to get started, because of the studying and input that will be needed. It will then take another two years to complete the work. The bridge's structure is historically significant and Kim plans to keep that with the fix. The Mayo Bridge was the first bridge to cross the James River in Richmond.
