Bridge maintenance project to replace two pins will be underway through Oct. 20;
Bridge inspection with daytime lane closures scheduled Oct. 1-26
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Drivers can expect lane closures and travel delays on the Robert O. Norris Bridge over the Rappahannock River during October for a maintenance project to replace two bridge pins, and for a scheduled bridge inspection.
Pin Replacement
Two additional days of work have been added this week, on Monday, Oct. 1 and Wednesday, Oct. 3. Travelers can expect lane closures on Route 3 between Lancaster and Middlesex counties at the following times and dates, weather permitting:
Monday, Oct. 1
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – single lane closure
Wednesday, Oct. 3
- 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. – single lane closure
Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6 (two consecutive nights of work)
- 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. overnight – single lane closure
- Full traffic stops up to 30 minutes while pin is removed and replaced
- Emergency vehicles will always be permitted to pass
Monday, Oct. 8
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – single lane closure
Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 (two consecutive nights of work)
- 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. overnight – single lane closure
- Full traffic stops up to 30 minutes while pin is removed and replaced
- Emergency vehicles will always be permitted to pass
On Oct. 1, Oct. 3 and Oct. 8, traffic will be controlled by automated flagging devices, operated by a certified flagging crew. During the overnight work zones on Oct. 5-6 and Oct. 19-20, traffic will be stopped at the bridge approaches, and northbound and southbound traffic will alternate crossing the bridge led by a pilot vehicle.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is replacing two bridge pins at two locations. A bridge inspection in October 2017 identified two pins for routine replacement due to corrosion from environmental exposure. The pins and the attached hangars help the bridge beams absorb the stress of vehicle traffic.
VDOT scheduled the work to be performed after a bridge painting project concluded in June 2018 and a milling and paving project was completed in Aug. 2018.
Most of this maintenance work can be accomplished underneath the bridge and outside of travel lanes, but periodic lane closures are needed for the contractor to set up and move a work platform along the bridge, position its equipment, and replace the two pins.
Message boards will be posted on both bridge approaches to alert travelers to the upcoming work zone and lane closures.
The project will have no impact to maritime traffic underneath the bridge.
Bridge Inspection
In addition to the pin replacement, a scheduled bridge inspection will be held on Norris Bridge over four weeks, from Monday, Oct. 1 through Friday, Oct. 26. This inspection of the entire bridge is completed once every two years. All fracture-critical elements on Norris Bridge are inspected annually.
Travelers can expect lane closures at the following times and dates, weather permitting:
Monday, Oct. 1 – Friday, Oct. 26
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – single lane closure
- Mondays through Fridays only
- No lane closures on Saturdays or Sundays
Traffic will be controlled by automated flagging devices, operated by a certified flagging crew.
511Virginia
Check 511Virginia before starting a trip for real-time information about traffic, incidents, work zones and road conditions in Virginia.
Download the free mobile 511 app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org. Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.
Colonial Beach News 