The Virginia Department of Transportation announced recently a proposal to rehabilitate the North End Branch Bridge in Mathews County. Construction is expected to begin in late 2024.

Kelly Hannon, public information officer for VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, which includes Mathews County, said the proposed project “will improve safety and extend the life of service of the structure.”

The narrow bridge, built in 1949, carries Route 14 over the upper end of the North River and is located between Booker Lane and the Gloucester-Mathews County line.

According to Hannon, VDOT is proposing to widen the bridge deck and travel surface to include five-foot shoulders on both sides of Route 14 travel lanes instead of the current shoulder width of two feet.

The current weight limit restriction is 32 tons for all vehicles and it was posted in 2011. “Once the project is complete, the bridge will be able to carry all vehicle traffic of legal weights and the restriction will be removed,” Hannon said.

The $3.5 million project is being proposed to use “State of Good Repair” funds, which are dedicated toward rehabilitating and replacing structurally deficient bridges and pavement conditions across Virginia, Hannon said.

The 74-year-old bridge is currently listed in poor condition. “Poor,” according to Hannon, “does not mean a bridge is unsafe for travel, but it is an indicator that a bridge needs maintenance or repair work to improve its condition.”

In 2022, on average, 6,559 vehicles a day traveled this section of Route 14 in Mathews County, according to data gathered by VDOT.

Between 2017 and 2022 in the area within 500 feet of the bridge in either direction, there have been three crashes, Hannon said.

“VDOT decides whether to hold a public hearing based on interest and the magnitude of the project,” she added. “A Notice of Willingness can be posted to satisfy the public hearing requirements for projects with minor improvement or minimal impacts. If, as a result of a Willingness posting, a request for a public hearing must be received before Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.”

If a Notice of Willingness is posted and no request for a public hearing is received, a VDOT representative will still be available to answer questions and explain the planned road improvement, Hannon said.

There are no current plans to widen Route 14 to four travel lanes, Hannon said.

Residents may visit the project page details at www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/fredericksburg-district/route-14-north-end-branch-bridge-rehabilitation-project.