Traffic shift next week on Route 11 bridge in Rockingham County

A traffic-pattern change on Route 11 (Lee Highway) in Rockingham County marks a milestone in the North River bridge replacement project near Mount Crawford. Contractors have finished the first phase of construction, and motorists are scheduled to begin using the new bridge on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 1.

The North River bridge project is about 0.7-mile south of Route 727 (Airport Road) and 0.2-mile north of Route 694 (Contentment Lane). As drivers approach the crossing, signs and pavement markings will direct them to shift slightly to the east. After crossing the bridge, they will shift back onto the original Route 11 travel lanes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is replacing the two-lane North River bridge, which dates back to 1935 and is nearing the end of its design life. The new bridge will have two 12-foot travel lanes, a 12-foot center turn lane and a four-foot paved shoulder to accommodate bicycles. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the project, which is taking place in two stages. Once traffic moves onto the new structure, the old bridge will be demolished and the final phase of construction will begin.

On November 2, 2015, the Virginia Department of Transportation awarded a $4.7 million contract to Crossroads Bridge Inc. of Marion, Virginia. Construction began in December 2015, and the project is targeted for completion in summer 2017.

All work is weather permitting, and the traffic-shift schedule is subject to change.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube.RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at www.VirginiaDOT.org.