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Route 671, the General Thomas Highway, is open to traffic as of Monday, July 18, with final completion of a bridge replacement project between Shady Brook Trail and Handsom Road over the Nottoway River expected later in July — several months ahead of schedule.

A Virginia Department of Transportation news release stated that while the bridge work was originally anticipated to be complete in the fall of 2022, VDOT contractor crews completed the work this summer. The work included the replacement of the two existing structurally deficient bridges. The two new bridges are each composed of two 12-foot lanes and 9-foot shoulders. 

Improvements to the bridge approaches and stormwater management facilities also were completed.

The first bridge (the overflow bridge) was completed in fall 2021, and Route 671 was reopened temporarily between September 2021 and January 2022 to help facilitate seasonal, local agricultural access and transportation, which are vital to Southampton County’s local economy.

Crowder Construction Co. began construction on the $11.8 million project in December 2020.

To learn more about the Route 671 Bridge Replacement Project, visit: www.virginiadot.org/projects/hamptonroads/route_671_general_thomas_highway_over_nottoway_river_bridge_replacement.asp.