By Bill Grubb
News Editor

BULLS GAP - Three weeks ahead of the contract deadline, the new South Main Street bridge in Bulls Gap is open to the public.
    The concrete bridge, opened August 10, replaces a wooden timber bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad track near the old downtown area.
     The project had been on the drawing board for several years and in December 2011 Southern Constructors, Inc. submitted the low bid of $509,704 for the project.         
     The South Main wooden bridge, demolished near the end of February 2012, had an approximate length of 76 feet, with a width of 20 feet.  The new structure is built of pre-stressed concrete, with an overall length of 80 feet and width of 30 feet, consisting of two 11 feet traffic lanes as well as shoulders.  A new concrete block retaining wall was also constructed at the residence closest to the bridge.
    The bridge was paid for by a combination of federal, state and city funds.