Traffic detour Interstate 66 westbound during bridge work July 14-15 Now to be July 15-16

Virginia Department of Transportation has rescheduled work that will require the closure of Interstate 66 westbound in Fauquier County. Originally scheduled to begin tonight, the work will now occur overnight on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.

During the closure, westbound motorists will be diverted off I-66 at exit 27 to Route F-185 (Grove Lane) and will reenter the interstate using the entrance ramp at mile 23 (Delaplane). Eastbound traffic will not be affected.

Since mid-June, VDOT contractor Martins Construction Corp. of Falls Church has been working to repair a damaged beam on the Route 723 bridge. The overnight closures are necessary for installation of bridge components by crane and other work to be performed under the bridge.

The damage was identified during a December 2013 inspection and required VDOT to narrow the bridge from 24 to 18 feet for safety. The bridge will be restored to its full width once this project is complete.

The Route 723 bridge was built in 1960 and carries approximately 1,100 vehicles per day.

Martins Construction Corp. was awarded the $491,732 contract for this project in January. The work has an Aug. 1 fixed completion date.

More information can be found on VDOT’s website at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/culpeper/route_723_bridge.asp.