Access To Rappahannock River At I-95 Closes Until Spring 2020

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Rappahannock River was closed to users starting Tuesday to accommodate bridge construction as part of the Interstate 95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing project, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The closure was postponed from an earlier announced date in December due to weather conditions and high water levels.

The river closure will allow crews to extend a temporary bridge in the river north toward the Stafford riverbank. A crane will be driven across the temporary bridge to build the fourth bridge pier, which will support the new I-95 southbound bridge. River access will reopen in spring 2020.

River users will see signs warning them that the river is impassable and of portage ahead, and when and where to exit the river. Pedestrian trails near the river in Fredericksburg remain open. The river closure and portage affects only river users. Additional signs notifying river users of the portage have been installed at major locations upstream: Mott's Landing, Hunting Run, Ely's Ford and Kelly's Ford.

A second I-95 southbound bridge is being built as part of the I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing project. The new bridge will carry three I-95 southbound lanes for through traffic over the river between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.

Construction on the $132 million I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing began in August 2018 and will be underway through May 2022, according to VDOT. The project aims to to reduce I-95 congestion in the Fredericksburg area by providing local traffic with additional lanes to travel between the Route 17 and Route 3 interchanges without merging into the interstate's general purpose lanes.

River users can stay updated by checking the Rappahannock River access page online at improve95.org.