A high wind advisory was issued for the Robert O. Norris, Jr., Bridge on Route 3 over the Rappahannock River between Lancaster and Middlesex counties. The advisory was lifted at 7:10 a.m.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) advises that high-profile vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, large vans, and SUVs should avoid crossing the bridge during these conditions. Trucks carrying small or empty loads are particularly at risk.
VDOT monitors wind speeds at major river crossings in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions. These include Downing Bridge on Route 360 over the Rappahannock River between Richmond County and Tappahannock; Eltham Bridge on Route 30/Route 33 over the Pamunkey River connecting West Point and New Kent County; Gwynn’s Island bridge on Route 223 from mainland Mathews County to Gwynn’s Island; and Lord Delaware Bridge on Route 33 over the Mattaponi River connecting West Point and King and Queen County.
“If sustained winds reach 30 mph over a period of 30 minutes or there are frequent wind gusts of 45 mph or greater, VDOT will post a high wind advisory notice on these bridges,” stated VDOT officials. “High-profile vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, large vans, and SUVs should not cross these bridges when posted with a high wind advisory.”
Additionally, “when sustained winds reach 45 mph or above over a period of 15 minutes,” VDOT crews will issue a bridge closure notice. However, they clarified that bridges would not be physically barricaded.
