Beaver Dam Road Bridge Posted To Three Tons

May 9, 2011

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has posted the Beaver Dam Road (Route 715) bridge over the Newfound River to three tons after deteriorated beams were found in a recent structural inspection. For driver safety, VDOT has decreased the maximum vehicle weight to reduce the amount of stress on the 52 year old bridge.

The bridge can withstand normal passenger vehicle traffic; however, larger vehicles like buses and trucks will need to use an alternate route to cross the Newfound River. The bridge carries approximately 3,200 vehicles per day. VDOT recommends drivers of vehicles over three tons use the following alternate routes:

• Northbound Beaver Dam Road – Connie Hall Road (Route 781) to Woodman Hall Road (Route 674) north to Old Ridge Road (Route 631) west to Beaver Dam Road
• Southbound Beaver Dam Road – Old Ridge Road east to Woodman Hall Road to Connie Hall Road to Beaver Dam Road

Repairs to the bridge will begin in late June or early July. VDOT will restore the maximum vehicle weight once repairs are complete. Signs have been posted on the approaches to the bridge indicating the reduced weight limit. Local police are responsible for enforcing the restriction.

For more information on VDOT’s bridge inspection program and to see video of a bridge inspection, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/info/bridge.asp.