Route 638 (South River Road) in Caroline County has reopened to traffic following the completion of a bridge replacement project over South River. The road had been closed since August 12, 2024, and was expected to remain closed until September 2025. However, the project finished ahead of schedule, with the road reopening on July 22, 2025.
The $3.4 million bridge replacement was carried out on the same alignment as the previous structure, which dated back to 1973. The new bridge measures 110 feet in length and 28 feet in width, compared to the old bridge’s length of approximately 81 feet. Travel lanes are each nine feet wide with five-foot-wide shoulders. Guardrails within the project area were also upgraded.
According to a recent Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) traffic count, about 170 vehicles use this bridge daily.
“South River Road over South River closed on Aug. 12, 2024, and reopened on July 22, 2025. It was anticipated to remain closed until September 2025.”
Crews have now lifted the previous detour route that spanned approximately 14.5 miles.
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