The 1,985’ long Smart Road Bridge will eventually link the Blacksburg area to Interstate 81. Until connecting roads are completed, the bridge and adjoining roadbed serve as a research facility for the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. The concrete segmental box girder bridge offers aesthetic appeal, economic efficiency, and reduced maintenance needs, along with the added benefit of the open box girder design that accommodates testing equipment.

The stunning rural landscape of Ellett Valley in southwestern Virginia led VDOT and the design team to prioritize aesthetics, resulting in long spans that minimized the number of piers within the valley. Both the piers and abutments are adorned with native “Hokie Stone”, a material used in buildings on the nearby Virginia Tech campus. This choice not only enhances the bridge's visual appeal but also serves as a unifying natural element that reflects the area's architectural heritage.

Additional design features that seamlessly integrate the structure into the valley environment include an accentuated superstructure depth at the piers, creating an arching effect, and 135’ tall piers that taper elegantly in both directions. A buff-colored coating enhances the visual harmony with the stone inlays. Furthermore, the bridge employs a distinctive monolithic connection at the pier/superstructure interface, where the longitudinal faces of the piers extend vertically to meet the superstructure web wall. This innovative design not only eliminates the maintenance costs associated with traditional bearings at this junction but also reduces overall construction expenses.