If you suffer from "gephyrophobia", fear of bridges, the Downing bridge may help you conquer that fear! Usually, I'm scared out of my "bridges" when I approach a bridge, whether I driving or a passenger, but this bridge gave me courage to "get over it".
Although this is a steel stringer, narrow bridge with no shoulder, it's not too long nor too steep. It's just over a mile long, connecting Tappahannock and Warsaw. The water views across the bridge are quite pretty, especially nearing sunset. Cross the water, you'll see flocks of water birds resting on rustic pylons...they ap-"pier" to be herons, cranes, seagulls, and ospreys. If you pull over underneath the bridge by the Tappahannock side, you won't "egret" it. Weeping willows align the small field with a picnic area and there's a historic marker, a plaque and map describing the history of this part of the Rappahannock River. You can park and climb the rocks or even cast a line for fish. The Warsaw side of the bridge isn't quite so scenic.
This bridge was named after a state senator, Thomas J Downing, who lived from 1867-1927. The bridge was constructed originally in 1927 which was a welcome change from the ferries that used to usher people across the River. Then in 1963, it was modernized to the bridge seen today carrying thousands of vehicles per day. As of an inspection in 2017, this bridge was deemed in poor-fair condition but needed some upkeep. Let's give this bridge some support! read more