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After six months of renovations, the historic bridge at Staunton River Battlefield State Park is complete.

The $469,673.50 project began in May and included replacing the decking and sides of the main bridge, replacing damaged railroad ties beneath the decking and stabilizing the trail at both ends of the bridge.

The state park used Virginia Public Building Authority bond funding to repair the 600-foot-long bridge.

The bridge, rich in history, allows visitors at the Clover Visitors Center to cross the Roanoke River to the Roanoke Visitor Center and the Roanoke Station in Randolph.

As part of the celebration of project completion, the bridge and visitor center will be covered in lights, inflatables and other decorations on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Visitors can park at the Clover visitor center and ride the hay wagon to the bridge.

The Staunton River Bridge crosses the Staunton River and was part of the Richmond and Danville railroad supply route for Confederate troops from the West and South during the Civil War.

In 1864, it was successfully defended by ‘Old Men and Young Boys’ during the Wilson-Kautz Raid.

Today, it is part of the walking trail between the Clover Visitor Center and the Roanoke Visitor Center.

This trail is 0.8 miles long and follows the old railroad bed allowing visitors access to the park from either side of the river.