VDOT News - Fredericksburg
| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE - 9:10 p.m. Kelly Hannon 540-374-3344 [email protected] 540-656-0321 |
FRED-204253 July 5, 2023 |
GWYNN'S ISLAND BRIDGE CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC
Scheduled marine openings have been suspended at Route 223 bridge over Milford Haven in Mathews County until further notice with swing span in locked position
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Route 223 (Old Ferry Road) bridge over Milford Haven between Gwynn’s Island and mainland Mathews County is closed for marine openings until further notice, after the bridge's movable swing span became locked in the closed position today after a scheduled afternoon opening.
The bridge remains open to vehicle traffic.
Built in 1938, the bridge over Milford Haven opens approximately 3,000 times a year, which is more than any other state-maintained movable bridge in Virginia.
The bridge’s navigational clearance is 11 feet vertically and 80 feet horizontally when closed. Watercraft that cannot navigate underneath the bridge within this clearance requires an opening.
A bridge maintenance project is underway to improve the condition of the bridge’s mechanical elements connected with the moveable swing span. Work is anticipated to be complete in fall 2023.
Prior to today's suspension of marine openings, the bridge had resumed six scheduled openings a day in May 2023 at the following times: 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10 p.m.
When complete, the project will restore the ability of the bridge to open on demand for marine traffic.
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VDOT’s 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.
The bridge remains open to vehicle traffic.
Built in 1938, the bridge over Milford Haven opens approximately 3,000 times a year, which is more than any other state-maintained movable bridge in Virginia.
The bridge’s navigational clearance is 11 feet vertically and 80 feet horizontally when closed. Watercraft that cannot navigate underneath the bridge within this clearance requires an opening.
A bridge maintenance project is underway to improve the condition of the bridge’s mechanical elements connected with the moveable swing span. Work is anticipated to be complete in fall 2023.
Prior to today's suspension of marine openings, the bridge had resumed six scheduled openings a day in May 2023 at the following times: 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10 p.m.
When complete, the project will restore the ability of the bridge to open on demand for marine traffic.
(END)
VDOT’s 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.
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Page last modified: July 6, 2023