VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Utility relocation work underway in the City of Fredericksburg ahead of the Chatham Bridge rehabilitation project will continue to affect traffic on George Street into February 2020.

George Street will remain restricted to one-way westbound traffic between Sophia Street and Caroline Street for an additional month of work, weather permitting.

Street parking will remain prohibited in the 100 block of George Street, which is between Sophia Street and Caroline Street. Sidewalks on both sides of George Street remain open.

Utility lines connected to the Chatham Bridge are being moved before construction begins later in 2020.

Utility relocation work near George Street and Sophia Street began in mid-November 2019, and was estimated to be finished by mid-January 2020. Crews required several additional weeks to bore through rock and earth to create a new channel to carry utility lines underneath the Rappahannock River, extending the need to retain one-way traffic on George Street for the staging of crews and equipment.

Project Background

The Chatham Bridge over the Rappahannock River will close for an improvement project by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as soon as late May 2020. A detour will be in place for an anticipated 16-18 months while construction is underway. The $23.4 million rehabilitation project was advertised this month to potential bidders.

When the project is complete, Chatham Bridge will reopen with four travel lanes and a nearly 10-foot wide shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, separated from traffic by a barrier. The path will connect with Stafford County’s future Belmont-Ferry Farm trail along the Rappahannock River. A scenic overlook will be built halfway across the bridge along the path.

The bridge’s distinctive church-style railing will be replaced with a similar style of rail. The lighting fixtures will also be replaced and will coordinate with existing lightposts in downtown Fredericksburg.

Click here to watch an online simulation video of the new bridge and path. 

The Chatham Bridge carries approximately 16,000 vehicles a day on Route 3 Business traveling between Stafford and Fredericksburg. The bridge was built in 1941.

For more information on the Chatham Bridge rehabilitation project, and updates as construction and the detour approaches, please visit the project page on www.VirginiaDOT.org.

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VDOT’s 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.