Replacing the Sheppard Mill Road Bridge in Stokes County, N.C., presents a challenging and unique opportunity. The bridge sits within Moratock Park – home to the Moratock Iron Furnace, a historic stone structure built in 1843 that was a key iron producer during the Civil War.

This location – near the Dan River – adds complexity to the work because the land was originally acquired using a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, which comes with restrictions on its use. The park is also home to federally protected species.

In my 33 years of doing this type of work, this is the first project I've encountered involving Section 6(f) coordination, which protects recreational land use. This rare and distinctive aspect makes it an exceptionally exciting endeavor.

For this project, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) tasked DRMP with a range of responsibilities, including preparing State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental documentation, designing the roadway, managing traffic control, and handling pavement markings, signage, and Section 6(f) coordination for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. A subconsultant is designing the bridge.

Challenges and Progress

One of the key hurdles in replacing the bridge is managing the conversion of parkland. With the original land purchased for recreational use, it cannot be repurposed for infrastructure without meeting the requirements of Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. This law requires the replacement of any land converted to non-recreational use with land of equal or greater value. As a result, our project team had to work closely with the County and the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, to ensure compliance. Fortunately, Stokes County already had its eye on nearby land for expansion prior to this project, which simplified the acquisition process.

(Pictured above) The Historic Moratock Iron Furnace

The park, currently 52 acres, will gain about 2.8 acres through this land replacement process, leaving it slightly larger than before. This additional land is a win for both the park and the community, though the process required significant coordination, detailed mapping, and appraisals to ensure everything met federal standards.

Working through the approval process involving local, state, and federal agencies has been one of the more significant challenges for the project. The project – part of a state-funded initiative included in North Carolina’s State Transportation Improvement Program – is progressing with the cooperation of all agencies. The right-of-way has been purchased, and construction is set to begin in February 2025.

Environmental and Historic Factors

The bridge crosses the Dan River, which wraps around three sides of Moratock Park. This location raised concerns about protected species, including federally listed mussels and bats.

These protected species required coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Subconsultants assisted by preparing a biological assessment to safeguard these species. Additionally, although the park is adjacent to the Danbury Historic District and contains the historic Moratock Iron Furnace, no adverse effects were determined to either historic resource through the review process. The only special condition that emerged was a requirement to paint the guard rail brown on one end of the bridge to maintain the park’s aesthetic.

Sheppard Mill Road Bridge

Overall, the public has been supportive of this project. However, there were initial concerns from residents about road closures. After public meetings and discussions, the project was adjusted to ensure the road would only close for a weekend at most. This compromise has helped ease local concerns while keeping the project on track.

The new bridge, which is about 370 feet long, will be built in stages to minimize disruption. Half of the new bridge will be constructed to the south of the existing bridge. Traffic will then switch to the newly constructed portion of the bridge while the old one is torn down. This staged construction approach has been carefully planned to keep traffic flowing while completing the work efficiently.

The Sheppard Mill Road Bridge replacement project shows how infrastructure and environmental stewardship can effectively align. Through careful coordination and planning, this project ensures Stokes County's natural and historic resources are preserved while improving critical infrastructure for the community.