In 1990, the Virginia Assembly established a commission to propose recommendations to enhance the economic development of the southside region of the Commonwealth. The commission's 1991 report, House Document 42, included a recommendation for a timber bridge initiative to replace Virginia's structurally deficient bridges. The commission noted that timber bridges could save highway construction funds and stimulate the forest products industry in southside Virginia. This report addresses some of the economic issues. The long-term performance, and thus the life cycle cost competitiveness, of timber bridges cannot be determined at this time. However, timber bridges are not economically competitive from a cost standpoint. The economic viability of timber bridges is adversely affected by the lack of an industry presence in Virginia. This lack also casts doubt on the ability of the Virginia timber bridge initiative to enhance the economic development in the southside region of the Commonwealth.

In 1990, the Virginia General Assembly established a commission to propose and enhance the economic development of the Southside region of the Commonwealth, the tier of largely rural counties across the southern border. The commission's 1991 report, House Document 42, included a recommendation for a timber bridge initiative to evaluate those structures as replacements for Virginia's structurally deficient bridges. The commission suggested that timber bridges might save highway construction funds and stimulate the forest products industry in Southside Virginia. Subsequently, the Virginia Department of Transportation developed a three-phase research effort that began with the construction of one bridge in each of the state's nine construction districts. This report, which concludes the formal stage of the initiative, addresses the costs, structural performance, and maintenance requirements to date for these structures. Although the performance of the study bridges has been acceptable, there is no indication that timber has been significantly accepted as a bridge construction material at this time. Timber bridges have not proven economically competitive from a first cost standpoint, and their life cycle cost competitiveness cannot be determined at this time. The economic viability of timber bridges is adversely affected by the lack of an industry presence in Virginia. This lack also casts doubt on the ability of the Virginia timber bridge initiative to enhance economic development in the Southside region of the Commonwealth.

This report presents a plan for a timber bridge initiative in Virginia. It addresses (1) the immediate and future potential for using timber in the replacement of many of Virginia's bridges, (2) the available timber resources in Southside Virginia, (3) the wood species best suited for use in Phase I of the initiative, (4) factors affecting the economy with respect to timber bridges, and (5) the need for a supporting structural timber manufacturing industry in Virginia. For those who will be involved in the implementation of the plan, the report addresses (1) the national timber bridge initiative, (2) funding for a demonstration bridge, (3) particular modern concepts regarding timber bridges, and (4) other technical issues. In addition, sources of information concerning timber bridges and the locations of structural timber manufacturers are provided. Potentially, timber construction could be adapted to 5,612 bridges in Virginia. Of these, 521 need immediate repair or replacement. Thus, there is a potential for both immediate and long-term use of structural timber products on many of Virginia's bridges. The cost of these products are estimated to be $7.7 and $74.8 million, respectively, in 1991 dollars.