Work to replace the detiorating 64-year-old bridge carrying Old Ivy Road over the U.S. 250 Bypass just west of Charlottesville begins next Monday. That work is expected to intermittently close the area to traffic until the fall of 2026, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Troy-based Caton Construction Group has been contracted to complete the $3.9 million job. The Old Ivy Road bridge was constructed in 1961 and carries an average of 8,000 vehicles over the bypass every day, according to VDOT. "The current structure is substandard and deteriorating," VDOT said in a statement announcing the project's commencement. "This project will replace the bridge deck and beams and rehabilitate the bridge piers. The new structure will be raised slightly to provide more vertical clearance for vehicles ...

traveling under the bridge." During construction, the bridge will be restricted to eastbound traffic only and will narrow to a width of 10 feet and 8 inches. Due to the narrower lane, eastbound tractor-trailers longer than 45 feet in length will not be able to turn north onto the bypass east of the bridge. Tractor-trailers of that size should use Ivy Road instead.

Westbound traffic over the bridge will be detoured north onto the bypass, make a U-turn at Barracks Road and use the exit for Virginia Route 601. Several nighttime weekend closures are expected to be implemented on an "as-needed basis," VDOT said. Separate detours for tractor-trailers and other vehicles will be in place during those times. Tractor-trailers headed to points north should follow Interstate 64 east to exit 124 to travel west on Richmond Road, then take the exit for U.S.

29. Passenger vehicles and local traffic on the bypass will use Ivy Road and Emmet Street to reach points north of the closure. To reach points south, drivers will use Ivy Road, then take an immediate right to continue onto the bypass south of the closure.

More information on the project is availbale online at www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/culpeper-district/route-601-old-ivy-road-albemarle-county/#Overview0 . Local updates on road conditions are regularly posted to www.x.com/vadotculp and www.facebook.com/groups/vdotculpeper/ . Current traffic conditions are available online at www.511.vdot.virginia.gov/ or by phone at 511. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.