Belmont Bridge Replacement

New Form Supply Delivers Precision in Motion

After more than 20 years of public input, planning, and revisions, Charlottesville, VA’s Belmont Bridge Replacement is finally complete—and it’s built to last a century. The new structure replaces a deteriorating 1962 bridge with a safer, more inclusive design that serves cars, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

For projects of this size and public importance, choosing the right material supply partner can make or break the schedule. That’s where New Form Supply came in.

As a DBE-certified, women-owned construction materials company serving the Eastern Seaboard, we were proud to support Caton Construction Group and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) by sourcing and delivering the bridge’s most critical structural components: the pre-stressed Bulb-T beams that quite literally hold the bridge together.

Supplying the Backbone to Belmont Bridge: Pre-Stressed Bulb-T Beams

Our team was tasked with supplying the VDOT-approved Bulb-T beams, a key material used in large bridge replacement and highway infrastructure projects. This beam type offers strength and longevity while allowing for quicker installation and better handling than traditional I-beams.

The beams for the Belmont Bridge were fabricated to strict VDOT standards, with shop drawings submitted, reviewed, and approved by the project engineer before production. Our role was to manage every detail from procurement through delivery—ensuring nothing slipped through the cracks.

“Completing a successful project is always a source of pride. When we add our value and expertise to a job that runs smoothly, that’s a win for the contractor, our vendor,  Coastal Precast Systems—and for us.”
— New Form Supply Team

A Two-Stage Delivery, Done Right

Bridge replacements like Belmont often require phased installation. This project was no different. New Form Supply coordinated deliveries in two major stages—first in 2023 for one direction of travel, and then again six months later for the other.

That meant working closely with the contractor, crane crew, trucking team, and the precast plant to ensure precise delivery sequencing. If a truck arrived out of order—or a beam was loaded the wrong way for crane pick—it could mean costly delays or jobsite chaos.

“You can’t just swing a 100-foot Bulb-T beam around like a bag of gravel. These deliveries are about timing, loading, crane readiness, and knowing what questions to ask before something goes wrong.”
— Michelle Schleck, Co-Owner, New Form Supply

Our experience in heavy civil materials logistics meant we could handle these moving parts confidently and keep the project timeline intact.

Adapting On the Fly: Showing Up When It Mattered

Midway through the project, VDOT added a requirement for on-site representation during beam deliveries—a change that hadn’t been part of the original scope of work.

Without hesitation, New Form Supply stepped up. We provided an on-site presence to ensure everything ran smoothly and to support Caton Construction’s DBE participation goals, even though the contractor didn’t request it.

That’s just one example of how we bring more than materials—we bring accountability and adaptability to every project.

Belmont Bridge Connects More Than Just Roads

The new Belmont Bridge is 236 feet long—70 feet shorter than the old one—but it makes a bigger impact. It features:

• Protected bike lanes
• Wider sidewalks
• Safer pedestrian access
• Modern traffic controls and lighting
  

This wasn’t just a structural fix. It was a community investment, giving Charlottesville a safer, more connected future.

What Makes New Form Supply Different?

We don’t just fill orders. We solve problems. And when you’re sourcing bridge replacement materials, that matters.

Our clients—both public and private—trust us to:

• Ask the right questions
• Communicate with every stakeholder
• Deliver VDOT-approved, DBE-certified materials on time and in sequence
• Handle curveballs without disrupting progress
  

Looking Ahead for the Belmont Bridge

Charlottesville’s Belmont Bridge is open, functional, and built for the next 100 years. And while drivers may never know who delivered the beams under their wheels, New Form Supply will always know we had a hand in building something that matters.

If you’re planning a bridge replacement, highway project, or public infrastructure job—we’d love to be part of your team. Read more about our 20 year anniversary and other bridge replacement projects.