Ryot Covered Bridge

The Ryot Bridge was originally constructed in 1868, and underwent a major restoration in 1995. Bedford County relies on its covered bridges to attract tourists to the region. The county has 14 covered bridges and provides many driving tours to view the unique structures.

So after arsonists burned down the Ryot Bridge in 2002, it was rebuilt in 2004. All of the hardware components of the bridge, (anchor and structure bolts, wash plates, bearing plates, and beam clips,) were hot-dip galvanized to maintain the historical integrity of the bridge. The hardware was stripped of paint and the previous galvanized coating, and then re-galvanized and used in the new construction. Recycling the previous pieces is good for the environment and lowers the cost of the project. The galvanized hardware will help provide Bedford County with a maintenance-free tourist attraction for many generations.