At 2,030 feet (620 m) long, the Boulevard Bridge was completed in 1925. It was privately owned and financed by the Boulevard Bridge Corporation for the purpose of providing access to the new Westover Hills neighborhood in South Richmond,[1] where one of the selling points of the homes was free bridge access. It is named for The Boulevard, a main route through Richmond that ends just north of the bridge in Byrd Park. For many years, 5-cent tolls were collected at a toll booth midway on the span, and it became widely known as the "Nickel Bridge". Some years later, tolls were increased to 10 cents, and the nickname became the "Dime Bridge". However, despite all subsequent toll increases, it is still known today as the "nickel bridge" to many locals.[2]
Initially, the early toll-barrier was located in the middle of the span (actually above the north shore of the river between the canal and the north end),[2] because all the property on either side except the right-of-way for the roadway itself was owned by others, and the toll barrier at that location could be erected at no additional land acquisition expense. It was certainly not possible to circumvent paying the toll at that location. The toll booths were relocated to a plaza north of the bridge in the mid-1960s.
Toll plate issued by Boulevard Bridge Corporation in mid 20th century
During the years of ownership by the Boulevard Bridge Corporation, Westover Hills residents were given free access across the bridge [2] by the use of a special license plate that was attached below the state plates on their cars. These plates had to be applied for and were also sold to the general public. They were changed each year, and in the last years before Richmond Metropolitan Authority (RMA) control, windshield stickers were used.
On November 24, 1969, the RMA, which was building Richmond's new expressway system at the time, purchased the Boulevard Bridge for $1.2 million. The toll on the bridge was kept at 10 cents until 1988, when it was doubled to 20 cents.[1]
In August 1992, the RMA closed the bridge for 18 months to complete extensive renovation work, which included widening the existing lanes, installing new toll booths and equipment on the north end of the bridge,[1] and improving safe access for bicycles and pedestrians. The bridge reopened in October 1993.[2] The toll was increased again in 1998 to 25 cents.[1] In 2008, the RMA increased the tolls on all of its roads, bringing the Boulevard Bridge to the rate of 35 cents. As of September 1st, 2023, the current toll rate is 50 cents.[3] Despite the renovation work in the early 1990s, weight restrictions on the bridge limit vehicles to under 7,500 lbs. [4]
Referencesedit
^ abcdRMA. . Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
^ abcdHarry Kollatz. "Spanning History: The telling tolls of the Nickel Bridge". Richmond Magazine. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
^Peter Samuel. . Tollroadnews. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
^Wesley P. Hester (January 2, 2010). "Boulevard Bridge marks its 85th birthday". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
External linksedit
Media related to Boulevard Bridge (Richmond, Virginia) at Wikimedia Commons
boulevard, bridge, nickel, bridge, redirects, here, song, nickel, bridge, avail, over, james, independent, city, richmond, virginia, toll, bridge, which, carries, state, route, across, james, river, from, south, side, james, rivercoordinates37, 5317, 4839, 531. Nickel Bridge redirects here For the song Nickel Bridge by Avail see Over the James Boulevard Bridge in the independent city of Richmond Virginia is a toll bridge which carries State Route 161 across the James River Boulevard BridgeBoulevard Bridge from the south side of the James RiverCoordinates37 31 54 N 77 29 02 W 37 5317 N 77 4839 W 37 5317 77 4839CarriesSR 161CrossesJames RiverLocaleRichmond VirginiaOfficial nameBoulevard BridgeOther name s Nickel BridgeMaintained byRichmond Metropolitan AuthorityCharacteristicsDesigndeck truss bridgeTotal length2 030 feetHistoryOpened1925StatisticsToll 0 50 Smart Tag E ZPassLocationAt 2 030 feet 620 m long the Boulevard Bridge was completed in 1925 It was privately owned and financed by the Boulevard Bridge Corporation for the purpose of providing access to the new Westover Hills neighborhood in South Richmond 1 where one of the selling points of the homes was free bridge access It is named for The Boulevard a main route through Richmond that ends just north of the bridge in Byrd Park For many years 5 cent tolls were collected at a toll booth midway on the span and it became widely known as the Nickel Bridge Some years later tolls were increased to 10 cents and the nickname became the Dime Bridge However despite all subsequent toll increases it is still known today as the nickel bridge to many locals 2 Initially the early toll barrier was located in the middle of the span actually above the north shore of the river between the canal and the north end 2 because all the property on either side except the right of way for the roadway itself was owned by others and the toll barrier at that location could be erected at no additional land acquisition expense It was certainly not possible to circumvent paying the toll at that location The toll booths were relocated to a plaza north of the bridge in the mid 1960s Toll plate issued by Boulevard Bridge Corporation in mid 20th centuryDuring the years of ownership by the Boulevard Bridge Corporation Westover Hills residents were given free access across the bridge 2 by the use of a special license plate that was attached below the state plates on their cars These plates had to be applied for and were also sold to the general public They were changed each year and in the last years before Richmond Metropolitan Authority RMA control windshield stickers were used On November 24 1969 the RMA which was building Richmond s new expressway system at the time purchased the Boulevard Bridge for 1 2 million The toll on the bridge was kept at 10 cents until 1988 when it was doubled to 20 cents 1 In August 1992 the RMA closed the bridge for 18 months to complete extensive renovation work which included widening the existing lanes installing new toll booths and equipment on the north end of the bridge 1 and improving safe access for bicycles and pedestrians The bridge reopened in October 1993 2 The toll was increased again in 1998 to 25 cents 1 In 2008 the RMA increased the tolls on all of its roads bringing the Boulevard Bridge to the rate of 35 cents As of September 1st 2023 the current toll rate is 50 cents 3 Despite the renovation work in the early 1990s weight restrictions on the bridge limit vehicles to under 7 500 lbs 4 References edit a b c d RMA Boulevard Bridge Archived from the original on 16 April 2012 Retrieved 1 June 2012 a b c d Harry Kollatz Spanning History The telling tolls of the Nickel Bridge Richmond Magazine Retrieved 2 October 2017 Peter Samuel Richmond VA tolls up to 70c from 50c Tollroadnews Archived from the original on 9 March 2012 Retrieved 1 June 2012 Wesley P Hester January 2 2010 Boulevard Bridge marks its 85th birthday Richmond Times Dispatch Archived from the original on February 4 2013 Retrieved 1 June 2012 External links edit nbsp Media related to Boulevard Bridge Richmond Virginia at Wikimedia Commons RMTA official page on Boulevard Bridge 37 31 54 N 77 29 2 W 37 53167 N 77 48389 W 37 53167 77 48389 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Boulevard Bridge amp oldid 1177982216, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
