Fall Hill Avenue reopened to vehicular traffic at the Rappahannock Canal on October 23. A detour had been in place since February 12, 2014, to permit the demolition of the deteriorated bridge over the canal and construction of a new bridge.
The pedestrian tunnel that runs under the bridge is also open. It connects the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail and the Rappahannock Canal Path and enables pedestrians and cyclists to cross Fall Hill Avenue under the bridge, protected from traffic. The bridge also has sidewalks on both sides. A new pedestrian bridge across the canal, north of the main bridge, was also constructed as part of the project.
Re-opening came earlier than expected, said Doug Fawcett, City of Fredericksburg director of public works.
The canal bridge replacement is part one of the Fall Hill Avenue Transportation Improvement Project. The second phase will widen Fall Hill Avenue from two to four lanes from the Canal Bridge across I-95 and into Central Park. A new bridge over I-95 will be built. In addition, Mary Washington Boulevard will be extended as a four-lane divided street to Fall Hill Avenue from where it currently ends at Hospital Drive. This project is expected to begin within the next year.
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