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Taking Action: What’s going on with the Gilmerton and High Rise Bridge closures?

Posted at 5:43 PM, Jul 22, 2014
and last updated 2014-07-22 17:43:34-04

Roadwork on the High Rise Bridge in Chesapeake really messed up the drive for many people over the weekend.

NewsChannel 3 viewer Paul sent us an email saying "One lane of 64 westbound is closed before the High Rise. Okay, it happens. However, at the same time, they are grinding and resurfacing Military Highway from George Washington to almost Shell Road before the Gilmerton Bridge, which is closed with signs notifying you when you get there, with no prior notice!!!!!"

He goes on to say that in this age of mass communications and signs and cell phones, why can't they get together to plan this?

We took action to try and find out what exactly was going on and answer Paul's questions.

The Gilmerton has had ongoing work for a while now. Closures remain in effect Sunday - Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. That work was supposed to wrap up in March but was delayed, partly because of un-exploded bombs found underwater last year.

What was different this time is that was taking place on I-64 near the High Rise Bridge, which is normally the alternate route that people take.

According to a VDOT spokesperson, crews were doing scheduled pothole repair work in the left lane before the High Rise Bridge. It caused traffic to back up to George Washington Highway.

You might run into this problem again. Pothole repair work is scheduled to take place through Friday.

The good news is that the work at the Gilmerton Bridge is schedule to be finished by next month.

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