Under Construction: James River Bridge Wire Rope Replacement Project

TWO MULTIDAY BRIDGE CLOSURES COMING

EARLY 2024

The James River Bridge (JRB) Wire Rope Replacement Project will replace the 80 counterweight wire ropes, necessary to lift the bridge span for marine traffic, that are housed in the two towers of the JRB facility, which carries Route 17 between Newport News and Isle of Wight County.

As part of the project to replace the counterweight wire ropes, the contractor must implement two separate, 100-hour full operational closures at the bridge for maritime traffic that require bridge openings and all vehicular traffic.

Extended Closures Schedule

Scheduled Closure Dates  

The primary dates for the full roadway closures and restriction of all bridge lifts at the JRB are scheduled for:

• 1 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16
• 1 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 

Backup Closure Dates 

If unable to implement the closures during the scheduled dates above, VDOT will provide advance notice to the public should the contractor need to utilize the following approved backup dates instead: 

• 1 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23
• 1 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 through 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12 

Traffic Impacts During January/February Multiday Full Closures 

Vehicular Traffic: The JRB will be closed to all vehicular traffic in both directions for up to four continuous days during each closure. During the full closures, all traffic will be detoured to the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as one of the primary alternate travel routes. Additional alternate routes include the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry and Route 460.   

Maritime Traffic: During the closures, the bridge cannot conduct any openings for marine vessels requiring a bridge lift. Maritime travel impacts may extend to an additional contingency day to ensure the bridge span is aligned and operating properly. However, marine vessels that do not require a bridge opening can continue to use the navigational channel under the bridge throughout the project’s duration. 

For further information, please view this project’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

Preliminary Work Update 

The contractor began preliminary work on the project at the bridge in mid-November. This preliminary work involved the removal and replacement of the existing auxiliary counterweight ropes on the JRB, ahead of the larger-scale replacement of the main counterweight wire ropes.

The replacement of the auxiliary counterweight ropes was done in order to expedite the work for the upcoming replacement of the remaining 80 counterweight wire ropes, which will require two continuous 100-hour full bridge closures.

Sign Up for Updates:

Please sign up for closure schedule text and/or email updates.

EMAIL UPDATES: Sign Up

TEXT MESSAGE UPDATES: 

Text the following keywords to 833-748-0519 for road or maritime text updates: 

• For road closure updates, text “MOTORIST”
• For maritime closure updates, text “MARITIME”

Or, sign up online for road or maritime text updates:

• For road closure updates, Sign Up
• For maritime closure updates, Sign Up

DETOUR AREA

 

What to Expect During Closures

Commuter

• Expect increased traffic congestion on detour and alternate routes.
• Plan ahead and allow for extra travel time.
• Avoid non-essential trips when possible.

Maritime Traffic

• The bridge cannot be raised for passing vessels beyond the minimum vertical clearance of 60 feet in the closed position.
• Plan ahead and adjust scheduling as needed.
• Marine vessels that do not require a bridge lift can proceed.

Truck Drivers

• Expect increased traffic congestion on detour and alternate routes.
• Avoid these dates if you have an oversized vehicle and need an escort.
• Oversized vehicle permits at the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel will be limited to overnight hours.

Visitors/Tourists

• Plan your trip in advance and stay informed about the latest developments regarding the closure.
• When traveling from/to Richmond, consider alternate routes such as Route 460 or use the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry.

Benefits 

The JRB Wire Rope Replacement project is part of an overall life-cycle maintenance program to keep the bridge in good operating condition. The objectives of the maintenance program are to extend the operational life of the James River Bridge, reduce unscheduled repairs, eliminate unsafe conditions and increase performance reliability.