Next week, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin the first of several maintenance projects on the Eltham Bridge over the Pamunkey River between the Town of West Point and New Kent County that will continue through next year.
Starting on Monday, May 20 and continuing through August 2025, Route 30/33 travelers should be alert for crews, equipment and work zone barrels.
Crews are sequencing three different projects with a total cost of $5.6 million to maintain the condition of the movable bridge and travel surface.
First, crews will apply a concrete sealant to the existing bridge deck. Next, they will install a new gutter system on the movable portion of the bridge. Lastly, workers will install new utility hangers to attach water and sewer pipes under the structure.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, work will begin with a single lane closure on eastbound Route 30/33 and will stay in place until noon on Friday, May 24.
The eastbound lane closure will be put back into place starting at noon on Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, May 31 at noon.
Route 30/33 will be reduced to three travel lanes across the Pawmunkey River to four days a week from late May 2024 to August 2025.
Outside of holiday weekends, the 24-hour lane closure will be in place from 8 a.m. Mondays through noon on Fridays.
“Route 30/33 will be reduced to three travel lanes across the Pawmunkey River to four days a week from late May 2024 to August 2025,” VDOT said in a statement, adding that this should allow crews to expedite construction on all three projects.
Weather permitting, the 24-hour lane closures on Route 30/33 four days a week will allow crews to accelerate construction to complete all three maintenance projects.
VDOT said this bridge work is expected to have a minimal impact on traffic. Additionally, the bridge will still be able to open upon request for marine traffic on the river.
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Source: Virginia Department of Transportation, WRIC News
