FRANKLIN—Traffic on the bridge between downtown Franklin and Isle of Wight County will be reduced from four lanes to two for the next four months, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Tia Freeman, a spokeswoman for VDOT, said one lane of traffic will be open in both directions from the entrance of International Paper’s mill to Mechanic Street. The lane closures will begin Wednesday and remain in effect through May.

The bridge carries U.S. Routes 258 and 58 Business over the Blackwater River. The road is called Second Avenue on the Franklin side of the river, but it becomes Carrsville Highway after crossing into Isle of Wight County.

VDOT is building a new span across the Blackwater, just north of the current bridge. The new bridge is expected to open in August, Freeman said. VDOT plans to demolish the current bridge after the new span opens.