THE NEWS DESK
The News Desk is a collection of news, notes and breaking items affecting the Fredericksburg community.
One lane of Chatham Bridge to be closed Tuesday for repairs
BY CATHY JETT
THE FREE LANCE–STAR
The right, eastbound lane of the Chatham Bridge will be closed on Tuesday so that a hole can be repaired.
The Virginia Department of Transportation became aware of the problem on Saturday when it was reported to VDOT’s customer service line. There were no reports of vehicles falling into the hole, said spokeswoman Kelly Hannon.
The affected lane was closed and the hole, which measures 2 feet by 3 feet across, was covered with a temporary steel plate. It was replaced on Sunday with a larger steel plate from the Fredericksburg Department of Public Works.
Once covered, the plate, which is the width of a travel lane, was sealed with an asphalt mix used in cold temperatures. The lane was then reopened, she said.
VDOT bridge maintenance crews will repair the hole from underneath the bridge on Tuesday. Concrete will be poured to fill the hole in the bridge deck, and asphalt will be used to restore the travel surface, Hannon said.
The Chatham Bridge was repaved earlier this year, but VDOT thinks that this is a maintenance issue and isn’t connected to that job, she said.
“[The bridge’ was built in 1941,” Hannon said. “It’s an ongoing maintenance challenge.”
Real-time information about traffic incidents and congestion is available on VDOT’s 24-hour travel information website, 511Virginia.org, and by calling 511 from any telephone in Virginia.
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
cjett@freelancestar.com
