Why was this project significant?
The Harpers Ferry Bridge replacement was significant for several reasons. As another major project for our firm in West Virginia, it continued our strong relationship with the state while we were establishing our regional presence. We coordinated with state officials in Charleston and local stakeholders in Harpers Ferry, working closely with our subconsultants for geotechnical and environmental work to keep the project moving forward.
The bridge itself was unique—a reversed curve alignment that we had to maintain while meeting several critical requirements. The Shenandoah River channel had to stay open for whitewater rafting during construction, while above, there was a unique safety issue: Appalachian Trail hikers coming through Harpers Ferry, home to the Appalachian Trail Conference, were climbing over the bridge railing to cross. Our design solution incorporated the trail directly into the bridge, allowing hikers to pass underneath and use purpose-built steps to reach the sidewalk safely, rather than crossing traffic and climbing barriers.
The foundation work went smoothly. Rock formations were near the surface, so we could drill down and build the piers from there without major complications.
What stands out to you most about this particular engineering challenge?
From an engineering standpoint, there wasn't anything that sticks out as entirely out of the ordinary, but that doesn't mean it was simple. What we provided was the coordination of our subconsultants to get the project moving, and that collaboration was critical. GTS served as our major subconsultant, and we worked closely with High Steel in Lancaster, who manufactured the steel girders. We developed an excellent relationship with them, collaborating on checking drawings to ensure everything was right.
The serpentine alignment we had to maintain presented its own challenges. Structural analysis on a curved bridge is fundamentally different from a straight bridge. On a straight bridge, loads distribute equally across the structure. On a curved bridge, that distribution changes because the loads don't spread evenly. So it requires more sophisticated analysis. This made the project a valuable training ground for many of our younger engineers, who had to learn both the technical calculations and the administrative aspects of managing a complex project.
I'm also proud of the documentation we created. This was before drones, so we found someone who rigged cameras to a model helicopter to take aerial photos of the project—pretty innovative for the time.
Harpers Ferry carries so much history.
How did that show up for you in the process?
Yes, Harpers Ferry carries tremendous history, and I had a personal connection to it. My grandmother attended Storer College, the historically Black boarding school that was located there. The building that housed the school's library was still standing during the project, which made working in Harpers Ferry especially meaningful for me.
Looking back now, what does it mean to you personally to have been part of this project?
Looking back, leading this project means a great deal to me. I wasn't the original project manager—I was brought in for my ability to manage both people and the technical side of the work. That opportunity, in a place connected to my family's history, made it particularly memorable.
Twenty-five years later, the bridge continues to serve Harpers Ferry—safely carrying daily traffic, while accommodating rafters on the river below and hikers on the Appalachian Trail above.