SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY / SUFFOLK – A Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project to replace the Route 189 (South Quay Road) bridge over Blackwater River is estimated to begin next week. Starting as early as March 1, Route 189 (South Quay Road) will be closed in both directions between Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) and Route 714 (Pretlow Road).
During this closure, the existing bridge on Route 189 (South Quay Road) over the Blackwater River will be replaced with a fixed span structure that will have a 35-foot vertical clearance. The improved roadway will consist of two 11-foot lanes and 6-foot shoulders. Due to the higher elevation of the new bridge, improvement of 1,006 feet of approach roadway will also be completed.
Signed detours are in place and will be directing travel as follows:
Traveling Route 189 (South Quay Road) north, west of Blackwater River:
● Follow Route 189 north to Route 714 (Pretlow Road).
● Turn left onto Route 714 (Pretlow Road).
● Turn left onto Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) east.
● Follow to Route 189 (South Quay Road).
Traveling Route 189 (South Quay Road) south, east of Blackwater River:
● Follow Route 189 (South Quay Road) south to Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) west.
● Follow to Route 714 (Pretlow Road) south to Route 189 (South Quay Road).
From Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) west:
● Take the Route 714 (Pretlow Road) exit and follow south to Route 189 (South Quay Road).
Byant Structures, Inc. was awarded the $11.3 million construction contract and will begin work on the project as early as March 1, 2021. The bridge replacement project is estimated to be complete in summer 2023. All construction work is dependent upon weather conditions.
For additional travel alerts, motorists are encouraged to follow @VaDOTHR on Twitter, visit 511virginia.org, call 511, or download the free Virginia 511 mobile app.
