Construction is set to begin this month on the replacement of the Route 220 (Potomac River Road) bridge over Strait Creek in Highland County. Contractors are scheduled to start installing signs and concrete barriers on January 13, marking the start of a project expected to last about eighteen months.
Once the construction zone is established, Route 220 will be reduced to a single lane with temporary traffic signals operating at all hours. Drivers are advised to watch for stopped vehicles as they approach the bridge. A width restriction of 12 feet for vehicles will be enforced, and there may be temporary closures or detours during certain phases of work. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will provide updates as needed.
The existing bridge, built in 1931, has reached the end of its service life. The new structure will have two travel lanes with wider shoulders and will be constructed in the same location, just south of the intersection with Route 629 (Strait Creek Road).
VDOT awarded a $4.9 million contract in November 2025 to Fairfield-Echols LLC from Fishersville for this project. Work is expected to finish by August 2027, depending on weather conditions.
For current traffic information, drivers can call 511, visit the 511 Virginia website or use the mobile app. VDOT also operates a Customer Service Center around the clock for roadway users to report hazards, make service requests or get information about Virginia’s transportation network by using its mobile-friendly website or calling 800-367-7623.
Updates and project news are available through VDOT Staunton District’s social media accounts and on VDOT’s main website.
According to the official website, the Virginia Department of Transportation is a state agency responsible for planning, building and maintaining transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges and tunnels across Virginia. It manages one of the largest state-maintained highway systems in the country and delivers services such as traffic management and public access to road condition data through systems like Virginia 511 (https://www.vdot.virginia.gov). The agency supports safe and efficient transportation throughout Virginia by overseeing planning, construction and maintenance activities.