The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is preparing to replace the Route 3 Business bridge over the Rappahannock River, known as Chatham Bridge. The bridge provides a link between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg. The bridge will be closed to all traffic for about 16 months. VDOT expects the closure to begin as early as May 2020.
The current condition of the bridge makes this replacement necessary. The new bridge will provide a smoother ride for motorists and feature a pedestrian and cyclist lane separated from traffic, as well as a scenic overlook area.
In preparation for the closure, VDOT is working on improvements to the detour route which will be the Blue and Gray Parkway and Dixon Street. You can view a map of the detour route here.
VDOT will hold a “Pardon Our Dust” public meeting before construction begins. A meeting date has not been announced. For complete information, meeting and project status, visit VDOT’s Chatham Bridge web page.
In August 2019, VDOT released a PowerPoint presentation on the project which can be viewed here.