Utility Work To Restrict Traffic Ahead Of Chatham Bridge Closure

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Work crews are conducting utility work in the city of Fredericksburg to prepare for the $23.4 million Chatham Bridge rehabilitation project. Road restrictions near the west side of the bridge will remain in place for the next 60 days, the Virginia Department of Transportation said. The utility lines, connected to the Chatham Bridge, are being moved in advance of the scheduled start of renovations on the bridge in May 2020.

The Chatham Bridge carries about 16,000 vehicles a day on U.S. Route 3 across the Rappahannock River. The rehabilitation project is expected to increase traffic on nearby roads such as U.S. Route 1, which crosses the Rappahannock River to the northwest of the Chatham Bridge.

Starting Monday, Nov. 18, George Street near the Chatham Bridge will be restricted to one-way westbound traffic between Sophia Street and Caroline Street in Fredericksburg. Street parking will also be prohibited in the 100 block of George Street, which is between Sophia Street and Caroline Street. Sidewalks on both sides of George Street will remain open during the utility work.

For the bridge rehabilitation project, VDOT will close the 78-year-old bridge for 16 months. Repairs will be made to the bridge approaches and substructure, which support the bridge deck and travel surface. The project will include the installation of new steel bridge girders.

Chatham Bridge is expected to reopen in 2021 with a rebuilt surface and a 10-foot multi-use pathway separated from vehicular traffic that will connect to Stafford County's trail system.
VDOT is working closely with Fredericksburg on the utility work in preparation for the start of bridge rehabilitation. No disruptions to residents' utility services are expected during this period, a city spokeswoman said.

Over the next 60 days, utility companies Columbia Gas, Verizon and Cox Communications will relocate utility services away from Chatham Bridge. Verizon is preparing to relocate its line under the Rappahannock River. The 100 block of George Street is the set-up location for the drill rig and boring equipment that will dig for the new Verizon line.

Dominion Energy has an electric service line on the bridge that serves streetlights. The Dominion service line will be replaced by VDOT's project contractor, according to a VDOT spokeswoman. The existing streetlights will be replaced along the bridge to match existing lightposts in the downtown Fredericksburg area.