Another milestone in a major Hurricane Helene recovery project in Southwest Virginia, as the replacement Route 1212 bridge opens to traffic in Damascus on September 1. According to reports, the bridge across Laurel Creek was one of hundreds of transportation structures damaged in the powerful storm that hit the region in September 2024. Drivers on the new bridge, which is now finished, are being told to be careful while work continues to finish off around the site, states an online report by the Virginia Department of Transportation. It has been reported that Hurricane Helene left more than 500 sites needing repair at an estimated cost of $195.5 million across the Bristol District in a huge cleanup and rebuilding job. The damage included 394 structures including bridges and culverts. The storm did so much damage that five bridges needed to be completely replaced, a testament to the incredible force of the flooding and winds that ripped through Southwest Virginia. One such structure was the Route 1212 bridge in Damascus. The old bridge was damaged on a local level as well. The power of the storm ripped the concrete structure from its foundation and toward the shore of Laurel Creek.
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