Details for Benchmark: GW2499
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N 37° 33.330 W 079° 21.968 (NAD 83)
Altitude: 668
Coordinates may not be exact. Altitude is VERTCON and location is ADJUSTED. (more info)
- Location:
- In AMHERST county, VA View Original Datasheet
- Designation:
- 3 MLS
- Marker Type:
- bench mark disk
- Setting:
- footings/foundation walls of small/medium structures
- Stability:
- May hold, but of type commonly subject to surface motion.
Nearest
 5/4/2012 |
draley found  GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
KLR advrider
[Photos:]
 3 MLS
The BM disk.
View from GW2499
a few more steps
Near GW2499
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| 6/16/2011 |
Run&Hike found GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
On our way north after an anniversary trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway, we stopped at the James River Visitor Center.
Talking to a Ranger I mentioned benchmarks and he told me about this one.
[Photos:]
Benchmark
Location of Benchmark
The Bridge
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| 10/23/2010 |
JeepinGPS found GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
My first Benchmark! I found this one by accident while cruising the BRP with my beautiful fiance. Wonderful Saturday to be among the hills.
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| 9/18/2010 |
PFF found GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
Still there, in excellent condition at Mile Post 63.6. This is an easy find, with good parking nearby--and you don't have to worry about traffic. Stay in the grassy area and you will be protected by a cement barrier.
Sooner or later, somebody will compare the year the bridge was built with the year the benchmark was set, and will discover an inconsistency. The mark was set before the bridge was built. Here's the REST of the story:
1962. Benchmark established by USGS in the old bridge.
1985. Bridge rebuilt. Benchmark was remounted in guardrail. However, it was not precisely in the original location, so technically it was "destroyed", or unusable.
1992. A survey party from Measurement Science Incorporated visited the site, took GPS readings, and wrote the current description (which appears below).
[Photos:]
GW2499 Blue Ridge Parkway
Technically, this should be stamped "reset" because it is not mounted in the original structure.
GW2499 Area View.
GW2499 Vicinity.
GW2499. New Bridge.
The bridge was built in 1985. A dedication monument can be found at the eastern end (which is Parkway North).
James River Bridge
The bridge carries the Blue Ridge Parkway and the App. Trail. (Note the pedestrian walkway under the bridge.)
James River (Virginia)
View from the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge.
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| 7/31/2010 |
sillywillie found GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
Found in good condition
[Photos:]
GW2499
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| 10/30/2008 |
G & G of SML found GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
Spotted on a beautiful fall morning while taking pictures of leaves from the bridge.
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| 11/26/2006 |
digian found GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
Observed this benchmark while on a trip on The Blue Ridge Parkway. Its on the footing of the Robert F. Byrd Bridge which carries the Parkway over the James River. I have a picture of it on one of my webpages: (visit link)
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| 8/4/2002 |
wise1957 found GW2499 |
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Visit Log |
N 37° 33.335 W 079° 21.969
Located at the Otter Creek Visitor's Center on the guardrail of the bridge that carries the Blue Ridge Parkway across the James River.
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Documented History (by the NGS)
| 1/1/1962 by USGS (MONUMENTED) |
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| 2/17/1992 by MSI (GOOD) |
| DESCRIBED BY MEASUREMENT SCIENCE INCORPORATED 1992
THE STATION IS LOCATED IN AMHERST COUNTY, VIRGINIA, APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MI (1.9 KM) NORTH OF THE TOWN OF BIG ISLAND. TO REACH THE STATION FROM THE INTERSECTION OF U.S. 501 AND S.R. 122, PROCEED NORTH ALONG U.S. 501 FOR 1.25 MI (2.01 KM) TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE BLUERIDGE PARKWAY. TURN LEFT ONTO THE PARKWAY ONRAMP AND CONTINUE FOR 0.2 MI (0.3 KM) TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY. TURN RIGHT ONTO THE PARKWAY AND PROCEED EAST FOR 0.4 MI (0.6 KM) TO THE STATION ON THE RIGHT ON THE CONCRETE GUARDRAIL AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE BRIDGE OVER THE JAMES RIVER. THE STATION IS A STANDARD US DEPT OF INTERIOR BENCHMARK DISK SET IN THE TOP OF A CONCRETE GUARDRAIL, STAMPED 3 MLS 1962. THE STATION IS LOCATED 19.4 FT (5.9 M) SOUTH OF THE CENTERLINE OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, 18.8 FT (5.7 M) WEST OF THE EASTERN END OF THE CONCRETE GUARDRAIL, AND 17.2 FT (5.2 M) EAST OF A WAYSIDE SIGN. |
Control Text
- The horizontal coordinates were established by GPS observations and adjusted by the National Geodetic Survey in November 1994.
- The NAVD 88 height was computed by applying the VERTCON shift value to the NGVD 29 height (displayed under SUPERSEDED SURVEY CONTROL.)
- The X, Y, and Z were computed from the position and the ellipsoidal ht.
- The Laplace correction was computed from DEFLEC99 derived deflections.
- The ellipsoidal height was determined by GPS observations and is referenced to NAD 83.
- The geoid height was determined by GEOID99.
