Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge
The Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge that spans the James River between Jordan's Point in Prince George County and Charles City County near Hopewell, Virginia. The bridge carries vehicle traffic of State Route 106 and State Route 156, and is owned by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). It is named after Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Governor of Virginia, who lived nearby at Berkeley Plantation.
Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge | |
|---|---|
View from Old City Point Waterfront Park | |
| Coordinates | 37°19′08″N 77°13′26″W |
| Carries | SR 106 / SR 156 |
| Crosses | James River |
| Locale | Jordan's Point |
| Named for | Benjamin Harrison |
| Owner | Virginia Department of Transportation |
| Maintained by | VDOT |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 1 mile |
| Longest span | 360ft |
| No. of spans | 5 |
| History | |
| Engineering design by | Hardesty & Hanover L.L.P. |
| Opened | 1966 |
| Replaces | Ferry service |
| Location | |
Originally completed in 1966, it was substantially rebuilt following a February 24, 1977, collision by a ship. Repairs took 20 months to complete. The cost of repairs and operations for an innovative passenger shuttle service contracted by the state were $9.7 million. The costs were recovered from the insurer for the shipping company following a lawsuit in U.S. District Court.
Working in conjunction with the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, the Benjamin Harrison Bridge and its VDOT staff host a successful breeding program for peregrine falcons on its high towers.