The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will soon begin a critical upgrade project at the James River Bridge (JRB). The JRB Wire Rope Replacement Project will require two separate, multi-day JRB closures and will take place between November 15, 2023 and February 15, 2024. Upon the contractor's submission of their proposed closure schedule and work plan for VDOT and U.S. Coast Guard approval, the specific dates for the closures will be announced to the public. Residents and commuters who use the JRB are strongly encouraged to prepare now by signing up for VDOT project updates today.
The JRB Wire Rope Replacement Project will replace the 40-year-old counterweight wire ropes, critical for performing bridge lifts that are housed in the two towers of the JRB facility. The bridge carries Routes 17/258/32 between Newport News and Isle of Wight County.
Work will be performed on one tower at a time, with each work cycle requiring a full bridge closure. Currently, there are two vehicular and maritime closure periods planned for this work. Each closure is anticipated to be in place for a 100-hour period, spanning over a weekend. While specific closure dates have yet to be determined, advanced notice will be provided.
To make sure you receive timely updates about the JRB Wire Rope Replacement Project and other important transportation developments in your area, we encourage you to sign up for VDOT notifications by taking any of the following steps:
For more information and answers to your questions about this project, please review the Frequently Asked Questions provided on the VDOT project website.