Caroline bridge replacement finished months ahead of schedule

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Caroline County bridge is back open months ahead of schedule after the early completion of a bridge replacement project.

The bridge along South River Road that crossed over the South River was closed -- and a 14.5-mile detour was put in place -- on Aug. 12, 2024 to allow for a $3.4 million bridge replacement project. The structure was decades old, having been initially built in 1973, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, exactly a year after the closure began, VDOT issued a press release stating that the bridge officially had reopened as of July 22 -- about two months sooner than expected.

Previously, the bridge was 81 feet long and 28 feet wide. The new bridge is the same width but is nearly 30 feet longer, per VDOT.

The new South River bridge on South River Road in Caroline County. (Photo: VDOT)

It features 9-foot-wide travel lanes, 5-foot-wide shoulders and upgraded guardrails.

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This bridge replacement project was funded through Virginia's State of Good Repair program, according to VDOT.