Under Construction: John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation in Loudoun County

Please note: The bridge reopened to traffic December 27. Minor work will occur in the coming weeks until final completion with minimal impacts.

A holiday gift for Lovettsville residents: the Featherbed Ln bridge over Catoctin Creek is back open to traffic! The 19th century truss was placed above a new steel beam and timber deck bridge, a new pier was added and the railings upgraded. More info: https://t.co/RvZaiOGCOT pic.twitter.com/8hcQC7MFaz

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) December 27, 2022

The bridge's truss was lifted from its abutments in April 2021 in order to be rehabilitated, check out the video below:

It’s Bridge Pick Friday! Crews just “picked” the John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge (on Featherbed Lane in Lovettsville) off of its abutments to start the rehab of the historic truss. Take a listen to #Ray (yep he’s cool enough to get a #) give a project update! #caissons pic.twitter.com/4vOZVwbFAW

— VDOT Northern VA �� (@VaDOTNOVA) April 9, 2021

This project rehabilitated the historic truss John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge that carries Featherbed Lane (Route 673) over Catoctin Creek. The bridge was originally built in 1889 on the Leesburg & Alexandria Turnpike (current Route 7) over Goose Creek to replace a bridge destroyed by flooding. In 1932, the bridge was dismantled and moved to its current location. 

The project improvements included:

• Installing the existing truss above a new steel beam and timber deck bridge
• Adding a new bridge pier
• Upgrading the bridge railings

The bridge averages 60 vehicles a day.

Estimated Costs
Preliminary Engineering - $1 million
Right of Way Acquisition - $25,000
Construction - $3.8 million
Total - $4.9 million

The project is financed with federal and state funding, including State of Good Repair funds used for bridges.

Benefits 

The project will improve safety and extend the overall life of the historic bridge.

Major Milestones 

Begin Preliminary Engineering – February 2017
Design Public Hearing - December 2018
Begin Right of Way Acquisition - July 2019
Advertise for Construction - September 2020
Award Construction Contract - November 2020
Begin Construction – January 2021
Begin Featherbed Lane Closure - January 2021
Lifting of Bridge Truss - April 2021
Reopen Bridge to Traffic - December 2022
Final Completion - Early 2023