09/09/2026
The Route 1212 bridge in Damascus opened to traffic on September 1. This marks the completion of Hurricane Helene repair and replacement projects for the Bristol District.
The hurricane, which hit Southwest Virginia in September 2024, created over 500 sites in need of repairs or replacement at a cost of $195.5 million.
There were 394 structures, including bridges and culverts, that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Five bridges were in need of replacement, including the Route 1212 bridge in Damascus.
“The sheer force of Hurricane Helene moved the former Route 1212 bridge from its location across Laurel Creek to the shoreline,” John Bechtold, P.E., Bristol District Bridge Engineer, said. “It really showed the power of the storm to lift up and move a concrete structure from its foundation.”
The 394 structures impacted by Hurricane Helene included the five bridge replacements, four culvert replacements, other structure damages, erosion repairs and debris removal activities.
The other bridges that were replaced are the Route 859 bridge at Konnarock in Washington County; the Route 725 bridge at Taylors Valley in Washington County; the Route 847 bridge in Grayson County; and the Route 800 (St. Clair Creek Road) bridge in Smyth County.
Join the VDOT Bristol District Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on projects in Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties and the cities of Bristol and Norton.