The new Route 658 (Rockland Road) bridge in Warren County opened to traffic on July 11, 2025, five months ahead of schedule. Since early 2024, contractors for the Virginia Department of Transportation had been constructing a new bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railway near Front Royal and the Virginia Inland Port. This project aims to improve Rockland Road traffic flow reliability while accommodating future rail needs.
Removal of all detour signs will likely continue through the week of July 14. Motorists should be alert for shoulder closures and occasional lane closures as needed through September 2025 during final phases of the project. All work is weather permitting. Details and traffic updates are available on the VDOT project page.
Before bridge construction, motorists experienced frequent delays at the railroad crossing due to slow-moving or stopped trains, including those loading or unloading at the Virginia Inland Port. Rail traffic will now pass underneath the new bridge while vehicles travel uninterrupted over it.
The Rockland Road bridge measures 220 feet long and 42 feet wide with a minimum vertical clearance of 23 feet. Its height and length allow passage of double-stacked freight containers and would accommodate a future third rail line.
The project also realigns part of Route 705 (Fishnet Boulevard), providing access to Rockland Park from either direction on Rockland Road.
A construction contract valued at $11.8 million was awarded in October 2023 to Shirley Contracting Company LLC of Lorton, Virginia. The total estimated cost for this project is $20.6 million, including preliminary engineering, right-of-way and utility relocation expenses, and construction. It is partly funded by a BUILD grant awarded to the Virginia Port Authority by the United States Department of Transportation in 2018.
For updated traffic alerts and traveler information, dial 511 or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/.
The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards or asking transportation questions related to Virginia’s roads at any time by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or using its mobile-friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.
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