VDOT News - Hampton Roads

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CONTACT:
IMMEDIATE

Hampton Roads Communications 757-956-3032
hamptonroadspublicinfo@vdot.virginia.gov

HRO-206660

Nov. 30, 2023



PORTION OF ROUTE 40 (MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGHWAY) OVER OTTERDAM SWAMP TO CLOSE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
Signed detours for local and commercial truck traffic starting as early as Dec. 4

SURRY COUNTY – Starting as early as Monday, Dec. 4, contractor crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close a portion of Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) in Surry County to replace the bridge over Otterdam Swamp.  

During this work, Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) will be closed to all through traffic between Route 601 (Laurel Drive) and Route 601 (Hickory Hill Road), with signed detours in place for local and residential traffic. Route 40 will be closed to commercial truck through traffic from Route 460 (South County Drive/Rolfe Highway) to Route 10 (Colonial Trail West) with a signed truck detour in place  

Access to all existing private property along Route 40 will be maintained at all times. 

Local traffic headed northbound on Route 40 from Waverly will use the following detour: 

  • Left onto Route 601 (Laurel Drive) 
  • Continue straight onto Route 607 (Huntington Road) 
  • Right onto Route 612 (Otterdam Road) 
  • Connect to Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) 

Local traffic headed southbound on Route 40 from Spring Grove will reverse the detour.  

Image 1:  Detour map for local traffic while a portion of Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) in Surry County is closed for bridge replacement.  

Commercial trucks, wide- and oversized loads will be detoured from the intersection of Route 40 and Route 460, traveling through the towns of Waverly and Wakefield using the following detour:  

  • Travel eastbound on Route 460 (South County Drive/General Mahone Highway)  
  • Left onto Route 31 (East Main Street) 
  • Left onto Route 31 (Birch Island Road)  
  • Travel through the town of Dendron, continuing on Route 31 (Rolfe Highway) 
  • Left onto Route 10 (Colonial Trail West) 
  • Connect to Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway)  

Commercial traffic headed southbound from Spring Grove will reverse the detour. 

Signed truck detour route

Image 2:  Detour map for commercial truck traffic while a portion of Route 40 (Martin Luther King Highway) in Surry County is closed for bridge replacement. 

The $3.17 million construction contract was awarded to Bryant Structures, Inc. The project includes the demolition of the existing bridge followed by the construction of a new two-lane, two-span, multi-beam bridge, estimated to be complete as early as fall 2024.  

This work is weather- and schedule-dependent; therefore, this schedule is subject to change. 

Motorists are advised to plan their commute by using VDOT’s free traffic information tools:   

  • Download the 511 Virginia app or the 511-integrated Waze app. 
  • Visit the 511 Virginia website or dial 511 for traffic information on your phone. 


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.

Page last modified: Dec. 5, 2023