NEWPORT NEWS/ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) contractor, PCL Construction, has begun preliminary work on the James River Bridge (JRB) Wire Ropes Replacement Project at the bridge, which carries Route 17 between Newport News and Isle of Wight County. This preliminary work involves the removal and replacement of the existing auxiliary counterweight ropes on the JRB, ahead of the larger-scale replacement of the main counterweight wire ropes at a later date.

As a result of this preliminary work, the bridge cannot conduct any openings for marine vessels requiring a bridge lift from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m., Nov. 13-17 and Nov. 20-22. Bridge openings will be allowed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. during this period. However, marine vessels not requiring a bridge opening can continue to use the navigational channel under the bridge throughout the duration of the work.

For motorists traveling the JRB, this part of the project also includes mobile, single-lane closures northbound on Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and brief, intermittent stoppages southbound:

• Nov. 9, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• Nov. 10, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Additionally, single-lane closures in both directions are scheduled Nov. 13-16 and Nov. 20-21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Upon completion of the auxiliary rope replacement work, test bridge lifts will be performed as necessary.

This work and scheduled closures are weather permitting and subject to change.

The replacement of the auxiliary counterweight ropes is being done this month in order to expedite the work for the upcoming replacement of the remaining 80 counterweight wire ropes, which will require two continuous 100-hour full bridge closures.

In accordance with contract and federal requirements to restrict bridge lifts during the full JRB closures, PCL Construction submitted their proposed work plan to the United States Coast Guard for review and approval, which PCL provided in mid-October and could take up to 45 days to review.

Once approved and finalized, VDOT will communicate the specific dates for the full operational closures at the JRB to the public.

For more information on the James River Bridge Wire Ropes Replacement Project or to sign-up for text and/or email alerts, visit www.VirginiaDOT.org/JRBropes.

During this work, motorists are encouraged to plan their drive with VDOT’s free traffic information tools: 

• Download the 511 Virginia smartphone app or the 511-integrated Waze app.
• Visit the 511 Virginia website or
• Dial 511 for traffic information on your phone.