RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Jeff Caldwell 804-524-6179 Richmondinfo@VirginiaDOT.org Sara Cross 804-524-6387

RICH-TA Rich-1 Sept. 29, 2004

INCLEMENT WEATHER POSTPONES I-95 NORTHBOUND CLOSURE NEAR PETERSBURG
I-95 Northbound Nighttime Closure Rescheduled for Oct. 6

PETERSBURG, Va.—Due to inclement weather, crews have postponed the I-95 nighttime closure near Petersburg from Oct. 4 to Oct. 6. Crews will completely close northbound I-95 between Crater Road (Exit 50) and Washington Street (Exit 52) from 11 p.m. Oct. 6 to 5 a.m. Oct. 7, weather permitting. Should crews encounter bad weather, the rain date is scheduled for the following night, Oct. 7. A detour will be in effect. The interstate closure is necessary so that a steel beam can be lifted over I-95 and placed on the Washington Street Bridge.

During the northbound closure, motorists heading northbound on I-95 will be detoured to Crater Road (Exit 50 D) to Wythe Street back to South Crater Road (Route 301) to E. Washington Street (Route 36) and finally on to I-95. Motorists heading northbound on I-85 will also be detoured to Wythe Street (Exit 69) to South Crater Road (Route 301) to E. Washington Street (Route 36) and back on to I-95.

Drivers are advised to use extreme caution and expect delays when traveling through the area.

Crews will maintain the double lane closure on Washington Street over I-95 and will add additional lane closures at various times, until repairs are complete.

The Washington Street Bridge was struck twice by over-height vehicles traveling on I-95, earlier this summer. Single and double lane closures will continue to take place nightly from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday, as weather permits for approximately three months. During a few of these nights, crews will have to completely close I-95 northbound. Repairs are expected to cost around $600,000.