The Virginia Department of Transportation has closed a bridge to traffic on Route 602 (Burkes Pond Road) over Burke’s Mill Stream in Gloucester County after an annual inspection found additional deterioration among the bridge’s steel beams.
The bridge was scheduled to be closed in January 2015 for a $1.3 million replacement project.
However, VDOT determined the bridge had to be closed immediately for motorist safety.
Motorists should follow posted signs along the detour route: Route 198, Route 3/14, Route 3 (Windsor Road) and Route 198 (Buckley Hall Road).
The detour route is approximately 6.5 miles. Motorists should anticipate an additional travel time of 9 minutes.
The bridge carries an average of 1,000 vehicles a day, according to VDOT traffic data.
Prior to the inspection, the bridge was posted with a 7-ton weight limit for vehicles. Due to additional severe deterioration, the bridge is not able to carry any vehicular traffic loading.
Construction for the replacement bridge is expected to begin in January 2015, and will be underway through late fall 2015. The detour will be in place through the project completion.
