Gunston Cove Road Bridge Closed Indefinitely
Safety concerns have forced the Virginia Department of Transportation to close the one-lane wooden bridge over the railroad on Gunston Cove Road in southern Fairfax County. CSX owns the bridge and is responsible maintaining and repairing it.

On Wednesday afternoon December 15, VDOT bridge crews erected safety barriers at the approaches to the 55 year-old bridge and posted message signs alerting motorists to the closure.

“Erosion of the embankment has undermined a pier foundation, causing overstress in the substructure as well as exceeding the bearing capacity of the foundation soil,” said Nick Roper, VDOT’s structural bridge engineer. “Based on inspection reports, engineering analysis and judgment, I decided to close the structure indefinitely until repairs are made.”

Approximately 2,000 vehicles a day use the bridge to access Lorton Road and I-95. Residents living between Route 1 and I-95 use the bridge to access Lorton Road and I-95. Traffic impacts are not expected to be significant as motorists can access Gunston Cove Road via Route 1 and Lorton Road.

VDOT has contacted CSX and requested a meeting to discuss repairs.


# #

NR04-56

Page last modified: Dec. 17, 2004