The Virginia Department of Transportation is advancing the Chatham Bridge
Rehabilitation Project to start construction sooner than originally scheduled. This means that VDOT can open the improved bridge and pedestrian path to motorists, walkers, bicyclists
and runners nearly a year sooner.
The Chatham Bridge, which is located on Route 3 Business and connects Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg spans the Rappahannock River. The current bridge was built in 1941 and carries 16,000 vehicles a day.
While the Chatham Bridge is safe for travel, the heavy rain over the past year has contributed to a faster-than-expected deterioration rate on
the bridge deck. VDOT is advancing the bridge rehabilitation project from its original advertisement date of
October 2020 to sometime between January and March of 2020. This timeline means the Chatham Bridge will be closed to traffic sooner than previously
announced. Depending on the project's precise advertisement date, VDOT expects that construction would
begin in the latter half of 2020, and the bridge will be closed to traffic over 16 months
over a range from late 2020 to early 2022.
What's being planned for the new and improved Chatham Bridge? It will accommodate 4 travel lanes, each 10 feet wide, and pedestrian path. Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit with the addition of a shared-use path that is 10 feet
wide, which will be separated from vehicle traffic by a barrier. There are also plans for a small bumpout area on pedestrian path, in center of bridge span, for scenic overlook. The project will replace distinctive church-style railing with a similar style of rail and the lighting fixtures will be replaced. The bridge path will connect with Stafford County’s Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail, under construction,
along the Rappahannock River.
Please visit the VDOT project website for ongoing updates.