COURTLAND
For more than 25 years, Southampton County residents have asked for an overpass at the intersection of Route 58 and Business Route 58 east of the town of Courtland. On Friday morning, the Virginia Department of Transportation posted on its website that it will open the bidding process later this year.

“Project was advertised on October 13, 2015 with a bid opening currently scheduled for December 16, 2015,” said VDOT spokeswoman Laurie Simmons.

The estimated value of the project is approximately $26.24 million, but Simmons said it will obviously be given to the lowest bidder.

“After the bid due date, VDOT will assess the responses and pick the lowest responsible bidder,” she continued. “The contract with the lowest responsible bidder with then be sent to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for approval at one of their future meetings, and they will award and allocate the money. Once the CTB does that, we will then move forward with a notice to proceed with the contractor, and they will alert VDOT to their construction start date.”

In 2011, then-governor Bob McDonnell signed legislation to fund more than 900 road construction projects — including this undertaking and the replacement of the Route 35 Bridge near Courtland. Once completed, the project would eliminate crossings at Old Bridge Road and the traffic light.

County administrator Michael W. Johnson added, “Assuming the bids come on or under budget, construction would likely begin sometime in mid-to-late 2016.”