RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Lou Hatter (540) 829-7537 Louis.Hatter@VDOT.Virginia.gov Odile Brookings 540-829-7394

CULP-080 Sept. 22, 2006

Proffit Road Bridge Reopens in Albemarle County

CULPEPER – The bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad track on Route 649/Proffit Road in Albemarle County reopened to traffic this afternoon. The bridge had been closed since June 19.

The closure was necessary because the old bridge was completely torn down and replaced with a new steel supporting structure, deck beams and new timber deck. The one-lane bridge is owned by Norfolk Southern Corp., which managed the bridge-replacement project.

The new bridge looks much like the one it replaced but does have heavier guardrails on each side of the deck, which were added to provide additional safety for vehicles crossing the structure. The bridge remains posted with a 12-ton maximum weight limit.

The Virginia Department of Transportation assisted Norfolk Southern with the project by providing signs and message boards advising motorists of the closure as well as detour signs along the alternate route.