Wasena Bridge Nears Completion After Months of Closure
Roanoke reports the $50 million project is 95% complete, while nearby businesses report lost customers during the closure.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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As of September 14, 2026, Roanoke reported the Wasena Bridge project was 95% complete. The bridge crosses the Roanoke River, and construction broke ground in spring 2024.
Why it matters
The closure has reduced foot traffic to nearby businesses, with The Green Goat reporting about a 30% sales loss and Wasena City Tap Room and Grill closing October 17. The city's plan to reopen the bridge by Thanksgiving offers relief for Roanoke residents and businesses that have adjusted to the closure.
The Wasena Bridge project carries a $50 million price tag and was 95% complete as of September 14, 2026, per city reporting. The Green Goat reports roughly 30% lost sales since the closure, though the extraction does not say whether other nearby businesses have reported similar losses.
The players
City of Roanoke
The city government of Roanoke, Virginia, which is overseeing the Wasena Bridge project and has announced its completion status and reopening plans.
The Green Goat
A Roanoke business whose sales have been affected by the bridge closure, and which hopes revenue will recover once the bridge reopens.
The details
Construction required specially formulated concrete that could only be mixed within certain temperatures and time windows, and part of the bridge had to be built over railroad tracks, requiring extra permitting and planning. Strong storms damaged the temporary bridge twice, and snow halted construction for a week last winter. The Roanoke River Greenway portion near the bridge has also been closed.
Timeline
Spring 2024: Construction on the Wasena Bridge broke ground.
September 14, 2026: The city reported the project was 95% complete.
October 17, 2026: Wasena City Tap Room and Grill closed.
Thanksgiving 2026: The city plans to reopen the bridge.
Legal Context
The Wasena Bridge replacement follows the city's earlier Main Street bridge, which opened in 1938 and linked the same river corridor. The project shows how an aging crossing in Roanoke is replaced in stages, with weather and railroad coordination shaping the timeline.
Drivers and pedestrians who rely on the Wasena Bridge will see the crossing reopen once the city meets its Thanksgiving target. Residents who frequent the Wasena and Old Southwest neighborhoods can expect nearby businesses to resume normal foot traffic after the reopening.
The takeaway
Local businesses near major infrastructure projects can lose substantial revenue during closures, so residents can support them by visiting while detours are in place. The Wasena Bridge's Thanksgiving reopening target gives the neighborhood a clear date to watch.
What happens next
The city plans to reopen the Wasena Bridge by Thanksgiving 2026, with the reopening date serving as the next scheduled milestone for the project.
Further reading
For more local business changes, browse recent Openings & Closings reports covering Roanoke.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Roanoke Times.
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