COLONIAL HEIGHTS— Drivers merged to one lane in each direction on I-95 at Laburnum Avenue (mile marker 79) in Richmond this morning as bridge replacement activities continued into rush hour. Rain and difficulties transporting the 120 ton pre-cast bridge section to the work site overnight resulted in lanes reopening at 7:30 a.m. rather than 6 a.m.

“With or without rain, travel lanes are supposed to reopen by 6 a.m.,” said Scott Fisher, project manager. “We regret that many drivers were delayed as a result.” Per contract specifications, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will fine the contractor for failure to reopen the travel lanes by rush hour.

One of three southbound bridge sections over Laburnum Avenue was replaced overnight. Each of the two remaining sections will be replaced this week—one tonight and the other tomorrow night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., weather permitting.

During the southbound bridge replacement, I-95 south traffic will merge onto the northbound bridge. Both I-95 north and south traffic will use the northbound bridge to maneuver around the construction. I-95 south drivers will be restricted from accessing the Boulevard exit (mile marker 78) during the bridge replacements. Expect delays.

VDOT strongly encourages drivers use I-295, Route 288 or the Downtown Expressway (toll)/I-195 to bypass the construction. alternate routes

For more information about the I-95 Richmond Bridge Restorations project or to sign up for project updates, visit http://www.i95bridges.org. Anyone with questions about the project can call VDOT’s customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

Real-time listings of road conditions and closures in Virginia are available on VDOT’s 24-hour traffic and travel information website, www.511Virginia.org or by calling 511. Richmond area traffic information is also available on Twitter @511centralVA.

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