COURTLAND
Originally scheduled for a Nov. 30 completion date, the Route 35 bridge over the Nottoway River may be open to traffic one month earlier than expected.

“Crews are currently on schedule for the road to open on Oct. 30,” said Laurie Simmons, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Thirty-five support beams have been placed, and Simmons said the remaining 15 will be placed next week.

“That will take the bridge all the way across the river from end to end,” she added. “Crews have already poured concrete for the new bridge deck on the first two spans of the bridge, closest to the town of Courtland. They will pour concrete for three additional spans on the other side of the river next week. The final five spans across the river will be poured in September. [They] have also started to do ground work to raise the roadway approaches to the new bridge, and rock and fill material is being moved by backhoes as we speak.”

Waterfront Marine Construction Inc. has handled the $13 million reconstruction, and also hired several local subcontractors to bring business to the surrounding area.

“Gray and Son’s Construction in Courtland, as well as Highground Services out of Franklin, are being utilized for the construction project,” Simmons said.

“Material like lumber are also being purchased from Edwards Hardware in Downtown Courtland.”

VDOT will continue to update the public as construction progresses and will alert drivers when the bridge re-opens via their project page at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/hamptonroads/rte35bridge.asp.