The Shadow
COVINGTON Va. (VR) – In recent weeks, residents and businesses in Covington and Alleghany County have grappled with significant developments related to the historic Rayon Bridge, including new vehicle weight restrictions, an imminent repair contract, and an upcoming full closure for scheduled maintenance.
Earlier this month, new signage was posted on the Rayon Bridge, officially reducing the maximum allowed weight on the span to six tons, or 12,000 pounds. Authorities have emphasized that only ordinary passenger vehicles and some lighter equipment will now be permitted to cross. Images circulated by officials clearly depicted vehicles that would violate the new standards, including flatbed wreckers, box trucks, school buses, and tractor-trailers, which are now prohibited from passage. Law enforcement has been empowered to cite those who ignore the restrictions.
“The new weight limit is intended to protect the integrity of the bridge and prevent catastrophic overloading,” officials announced. The renewed enforcement comes after bridge inspectors from Mattern and Craig recommended urgent action, with support from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
On January 5, Lanford Brothers Company Inc. began work under contract to repair and replace the critical oak wedge blocking beneath the bridge. The repair project, estimated to cost between $38,000 and $40,000, was deemed essential by multiple agencies.
“If the repairs are not made, it could result in the closure of the bridge altogether,” said city representatives during an informational bulletin.
The gravity of the situation was echoed in an official city letter distributed on January 12: “The City of Covington would like to make our citizens and business owners aware that the Rayon Bridge will be closed for scheduled maintenance beginning Monday, January 12, 2026, from 8 a.m. until the work is completed. Please take alternate routes to avoid this area,” officials wrote, thanking the public for its patience and understanding.
Questions or concerns have been directed to the Public Works office for further clarification during the disruption.
These recent developments have revived community discussion about the long-term future of the bridge. In June 2021, Covington leaders had publicly announced plans for a wholesale bridge replacement, fueled by a $10.4 million grant in the state budget. At that time, then city manager Krystal Onaitis, called the replacement “one of our prime industrial sites for redevelopment” and underlined the bridge’s importance in connecting Jackson Street with the other end of the city.
“It means a lot to the city to be able to have a bridge that is functional, that doesn’t have a reduced load rating, that can carry anything and everything,” Onaitis stated.
The city had pledged that the current bridge “would remain open while the new one was built,” and that extensive planning and design work would precede construction.
Four years later, some residents now express confusion and frustration that the Rayon Bridge is being closed for critical repairs instead of being replaced outright, as previously promised. For many, the closure and reduction in load limits underscore the urgency of fulfilling the city’s original vision for a modern, unrestricted crossing. City officials have committed to keeping the public informed about any changes in the bridge project’s scope, costs, or timelines.
Enforcement of the new six-ton weight limit will continue, with violators subject to citations. City officials will update the community about project costs and timelines as new information becomes available.
The fate of the Rayon Bridge remains a focal point for the community, as residents and local businesses await further details on both the scheduled repairs and the previously announced total replacement.
For additional updates or concerns, citizens are encouraged to contact the Covington Public Works office.
