ALBEMALE COUNTY, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – A Virginia Department of Transportation contractor rehabilitating the Route 708 (Red Hill Road) bridge over the North Fork Hardware River in Albemarle County is marking a milestone: the first half of the bridge is nearly complete. Beginning Thursday, August 1, traffic will shift to the newly completed portion of the bridge. A temporary signal will continue to control the intersection of Red Hill Road and Route 20 (Scottsville Road).

After the traffic shift, work will begin on the second half of the bridge. The expected completion date is December 5, 2024.

The structure is located on Red Hill Road at the intersection with Scottsville Road, north of the Town of Scottsville. The bridge was built in 1959 and was deteriorating.

Once complete, the restored bridge will include a wider foundation. New steel beams will support the superstructure and drivers will enjoy a fresh concrete deck riding surface. The improved bridge will feature wider travel lanes with standard concrete railings.

Work began on this $4.9 million State of Good Repair project in November 2023 with a speed limit reduction. Shortly after, crews reduced traffic to one lane on Red Hill Road and installed the temporary three-way traffic signal at the intersection with Scottsville Road.

The latest available data reports about 9,000 vehicles use Route 20 in that area daily. VDOT appreciates the patience drivers are exhibiting as the contractor completes this major project.

More information about this project can be found on VDOT’s website at Route 708 bridge over North Fork Hardware River, Albemarle County | Virginia Department of Transportation

Culpeper District updates are on the district’s Facebook page and the district’s Twitter account, @VaDOTCulp. For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, the public should contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

Current traffic conditions, VDOT’s statewide network of traffic cameras and other real-time travel information is on the 511Virginia website. That information is also available on the free VDOT 511 mobile app or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.