The Virginia Department of Transportation will perform maintenance on the James River Bridge this weekend, resulting in single-lane closures for both the north- and southbound lanes from 9 p.m. today to 5 a.m. Monday.
The work, which will go forward weather permitting, will also affect maritime traffic. By closing a single lane on both sides of the bridge, crews will be able to work on replacing two standby diesel generators, according to a news release from VDOT.
Motorists should anticipate delays and consider using the Interstate 664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel as an alternate route.
The work is part of the Route 17 James River Bridge Generator Replacement Project. The diesel generators provide emergency backup power to operate the lift span on the bridge in the event of a power failure.
VDOT awarded a $1.2 million contract for the work to W.F. McGann of Portsmouth. The estimated completion date of the entire project is October 2013.
The 4.5-mile James River Bridge is Virginia’s longest state-maintained bridge. It opened in 1928 as the first connector between the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads. The original two-lane bridge was replaced with a four-lane lift span bridge in 1982. Nearly one million vehicles cross the bridge each month, according to VDOT’s website.
Motorists should call 511 or the Traffic Information Line at 361-3016 for more information. You can also click here to go to VDOT’s Traffic Information website, or listen to Highway Advisory Radio at 1680 AM for current traffic and travel information.
