Part of Route 42 in Alleghany County will be closed during nighttime and overnight hours for about three weeks starting Monday, July 7. The closures are necessary for concrete deck repairs on the bridge over Buckingham Branch Railroad, located just northwest of Morgan Drive in the Nicelytown area, approximately 1.5 miles north of Interstate 64 exit 29.
The scheduled closures will occur from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Thursday nights, until the night of Thursday, July 24. Emergency vehicles will still have access to cross the bridge during these times. All other traffic will be detoured.
For motorists north of the bridge (Millboro Springs side), the detour route involves traveling north on Route 42 into Bath County, then east on Route 39 (Maury River Road) in Rockbridge County, south on Route 11 (Lee Highway), west on I-64 into Alleghany County, and finally taking exit 29 to return to Route 42 at the end of the detour.
For those south of the bridge (I-64 side), drivers should proceed south on Route 42, east on I-64 into Rockbridge County to exit 55 (Lexington), north on Route 11 (Lee Highway), west on Route 39 (Maury River Road) into Bath County, and then south again on Route 42 (Cowpasture River Highway) back into Alleghany County to complete the detour.
Temporary traffic signals are installed at both ends of the railroad bridge along Route 42. Outside of full closure hours, these signals will manage traffic flow around-the-clock until approximately September 1, 2025. Until repairs are completed, this section of Route 42 remains inaccessible to wide-load tractor trailers.
All scheduled work is subject to weather conditions.
For real-time traffic updates and traveler information, individuals can dial “511” or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/.
The VDOT Customer Service Center offers assistance with reporting road hazards or inquiries related to Virginia’s roads by calling “800-FOR-ROAD” (800-367-7623) or visiting their mobile-friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov. Agents are available around-the-clock every day.
VDOT Staunton District maintains a presence on Facebook and X (Twitter). Additionally, VDOT statewide accounts can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.
Further information is available at VDOT’s official website: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov.
