Route 1212 bridge in Damascus opens to traffic

BRISTOL — The Route 1212 bridge in Damascus opens to traffic tomorrow, September 1. Motorists should be alert to crews in the area as they complete finishing work at the site. 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.

About the district

The Bristol District encompasses more than 7,400 miles of roadway across 12 counties—Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe—and the cities of Bristol and Norton.

For more information, visit VDOT’s website at vdot.virginia.gov. View traffic information at 511.vdot.virginia.gov. Contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623). 

Media contact