
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 23, 1995                   TAG: 9507210021
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: F-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BRIDGE FACTS

The pedestrian bridge connecting Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center with the Roanoke City Market is scheduled to open between Aug. 15 and Sept. 1. Here are the particulars:

The bridge cost $6.85 million. The city of Roanoke paid 6.7 percent of this amount and will own and maintain the bridge. The state paid the rest.

It is 363 feet long, spanning Norfolk Southern Corp. railroad tracks. The interior dimensions are 111/2 feet high by 15 feet wide.

The bridge widens about halfway to provide a standing area for viewing. Benches could be added later.

The bridge will be heated in winter and ventilated in summer, but not air conditioned.

It will be open 24 hours.

About 80 trains use the tracks underneath in each 24-hour period, according to Norfolk Southern.

Skateboards and in-line skates will be prohibited. Bikes will be allowed, but it's undetermined whether they can be legally ridden inside the bridge.

There are four entrances/exits: the circular drive in front of Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Shenandoah Avenue, the second floor of First Union Tower's parking garage, and Norfolk Avenue and Market Street.

by CNB