MOUNT JACKSON, Va – The Virginia Department of Transportation says traffic on Route 11 in Shenandoah County is scheduled to begin using the new bridge over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River on Saturday.

The newly constructed bridge is located between Route 720, which is Wissler Road, and the Mount Jackson southern town limits.

A traffic lane-shift will allow Route 11 traffic to transition to the new bridge, which was constructed just east of the existing truss bridge.

After drivers begin using the new bridge, contractors will begin removing the old bridge and finalizing the project, which is scheduled to be completed by August 25th.

The new Route 11 bridge is about 38 feet wide, which is 14 feet wider than the old structure. The additional width will accommodate two 11-foot travel lanes, an 11-foot shoulder on the west side of the bridge, and a five-foot shoulder on the east side. 

In January 2022 VDOT awarded a $4.6 million construction contract to Fairfield-Echols LLC of Fishersville, Va. The project has a contract completion date of August 25, 2023.