CULPEPER – Construction of a new bridge over the Rivanna River in Palmyra is almost complete and the Virginia Department of Transportation plans to switch Route 15 traffic to the new structure by mid-August.

“The contractor is currently working on the bridge railing; once they’ve paved the approaches and put the pavement markers, we’ll be ready to switch traffic and close the old bridge,” says Project Inspector Barry Brockman.

Key Construction Co., a VDOT contractor, began work on the project to replace the old, deteriorating steel truss bridge in April 2006. The new bridge, located approximately 300 feet downstream from that structure, provides wider lanes and shoulders and accommodates bicycle traffic and a sidewalk. Its piers appear constructed of old stones, a look obtained by using formed concrete stained to match the native rocks.

VDOT worked closely with the Fluvanna Historical Society and county representatives before and during the project to design a context-sensitive structure and locate and protect historically and/or environmentally vulnerable areas during construction.

According to Brockman, motorists should have no problem making the transition to the new bridge when it opens.

“We’ll have barricades blocking the old road and pavement markers on the roadway. Just follow those markers.”


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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: Feb. 21, 2008