A new bridge has opened over the North Anna River on Route 658 (Mount Olive Road), restoring a connection between Hanover County and Spotsylvania County.
Construction to replace the 1943 single-lane structure with a two-lane bridge began in April 2018. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) closed the prior bridge for motorist safety in March 2015 after a routine bridge inspection found cracking in key support elements.
The new bridge has two 10-foot travel lanes. It also has been engineered to withstand increased water pressure that occurs when water flows into the river from the opening of the North Anna dam, which assists with cooling at the North Anna Power Station.
Crews also installed new guardrail, improved drainage along the roadway, and installed new signs.
The $2.8 million project was funded with State of Good Repair funds, which are targeted at improving or replacing structurally deficient bridges across Virginia.
Approximately 580 vehicles a day crossed the previous bridge, according to a 2015 VDOT traffic count.
