RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) – Starting today, you could see delays and traffic stopped at the Huguenot Bridge for up to 45 minutes. Crews will install beams for the second half of the new Huguenot Memorial Bridge over the James River.
Those beam installations will be between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday nights through September 7, weather permitting. If you use that bridge you can expect traffic to be stopped periodically for 45 minute stretches. Cranes will lift 80,000 pound steel beams over the bridge and secure them into place on the new bridge. Between beam installations traffic will proceed as normal.
Bridge beam installation schedule, 11 p.m.-5 a.m.:
- August 20-24
- August 27-31
- September 4-7 (There will be no beam installations on Labor Day)
Here are some ways to avoid the area and delays during installation:
- Northbound – Chippenham Parkway (Route 150) north over the Willey Bridge to River Road east to Huguenot Road or use Powhite Parkway/Route 76 (toll) east into Richmond
- Southbound – River Road west to Chippenham Parkway (Route 150) south to Huguenot Road
Efforts to build a new bridge to replace the 62-year old Huguenot Memorial Bridge began in October 2010. Traffic was shifted to the first half of the new bridge on June 30, 2012. Demolition of the old bridge is underway. The second half of the new bridge is expected to be completed and open to drivers in summer 2013. The $54.5 million project is currently on schedule for final completion in October 2013.
