LOUISA COUNTY, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – Route 701 (Belle Meade Road) in Louisa County is now closed as the Virginia Department of Transportation begins a $4.7 million bridge replacement project over the Little River.

VDOT officials confirmed the closure began March 10, with a long-term detour directing traffic to Route 654 (Bagby Road) between Route 618 (Belsches Road) and Route 608 (Signboard Road). Message boards were posted two weeks in advance to alert drivers.

The bridge, originally built in 1985 and currently posted with a 12-ton weight limit, carries about 700 vehicles daily. The project will replace the existing superstructure with concrete slabs and an asphalt surface to improve safety and load capacity.

Construction is expected to continue through November 2025 according to VDOT’s Route 701 project page.