VDOT Closing Rappahannock River Access For I-95 Bridge Project

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Rappahannock River usage will be closed starting Monday, Dec. 2 to allow the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to begin work on the next phase of its I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing. The river's closing will allow work crews to extend a temporary bridge in the river north toward the Stafford County riverbank. River access at the I-95 bridge is expected to reopen in spring 2020.

A portage will be placed in the river that will block boats from traveling in the river. River users will see signs warning them that the river is impassable and of the portage ahead, and where to exit the river. Pedestrian trails near the river in Fredericksburg will remain open. The river closure and portage will affect only river users.

A second I-95 southbound bridge is being built as part of the VDOT project. The new bridge will carry three I-95 southbound lanes over the river between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg. The entire Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing project is scheduled for completion in May 2022.

One of the project's goals is to reduce I-95 congestion in the Fredericksburg area by providing local traffic with additional lanes to travel between the U.S. Route 17 and U.S. Route 3 interchanges without merging into the interstate’s general purpose lanes.

Downstream of the I-95 bridge, VDOT is preparing to begin another major bridge project on the Rappahannock River: the $23.4 million Chatham Bridge rehabilitation project. The Chatham Bridge carries about 16,000 vehicles a day on U.S. Route 3 across the Rappahannock River. The bridge is expected to shut down for renovations in May 2020.

For additional information on the I-95 bridge project, visit the project page on the Improve 95 website at www.Improve95.org.