HOW BIG A BRIDGE?
The proposed bridge will be VERY large: The bridge will be over 200 feet high and each of the twin spans will be 42 feet wide with the total width over 140 feet. This is comparable to Interstate 95 (actually will be longer) and will allow all types of traffic currently allowed on I 95. In fact, VDOT has pointed out that the highway can and probably will be used as a ‘reliever’ road for I-95 in times of heavy traffic and accidents. Imagine the impact to this remote and quiet setting.
Area of the river just below the confluence
That means this beautiful section of river where one can see bald eagles and listen to the sounds of nature will be forever transformed into a noisy (ten times more nosier than it is currently) place no different than most interstates. Consider this the next time you stop at a rest stop on the interstate – stop and listen to what you will hear – just the constant drone of 18 wheelers. Oil and gasoline and other contaminants will cascade down during heavy rains and degrade the water quality. Camping at this wonderful spot will forever be damaged and most will choose no longer to camp the Rappahannock because this area is the usual mid-point of 2 day trips. Reasonable alternatives to this destruction do exist.