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A new Belmont Bridge is inching closer to reality.

The Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review on Tuesday approved a certificate of appropriateness for the $24.7 million project, allowing the city to move forward with right-of-way acquisition for it.

The certificate of appropriateness is required for development in certain areas of the city to ensure projects align with design standards.

The bridge carries Avon Street over the Buckingham Branch Railroad line. It was constructed in 1961 and sees about 14,000 vehicle trips a day, according to Virginia Department of Transportation estimates. The city decided to replace it in 2003.

Earlier this month, VDOT approved right-of-way acquisition.

The application shows several design aspects of the proposed bridge.

It has a staircase along the southwest edge, pedestrian lighting features, benches and bike racks.

The bridge will have access points from Water Street and a sidewalk underneath it.

According to the application, CSX supports removing the fencing along the Buckingham Branch Railroad line, though with several conditions.