The improved Chatham Bridge between the city of Fredericksburg and Stafford County will reopen to vehicle traffic on Sunday, Oct. 10, after 16 months of repair and reconstruction.
The day before the detour is removed, the public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony and pedestrian preview on the bridge on Saturday, Oct. 9.
The ribbon cutting will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. It will be immediately followed by an opportunity for the public to walk, run, bicycle, and enjoy the full width of the bridge deck from approximately 11 a.m. through 2 p.m.
The bridge’s new shared use path will open following the ribbon cutting Saturday, Oct. 9, and will remain open after the ceremony. This nearly 10-foot-wide path for pedestrians and bicyclists includes a scenic overlook of the Rappahannock River, and connects sidewalks in downtown Fredericksburg with the Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail in Stafford.
Early Sunday, Oct. 10, when traffic volumes are low, crews will remove the barricades and open the bridge to vehicle traffic. Motorists can check 511virginia.org for real-time updates that morning for the bridge’s status.
About the Project
Chatham Bridge has been closed to traffic since June 22, 2020, when a $23.4 million rehabilitation project started to improve the bridge’s condition.
The Chatham Bridge opened to traffic in 1941. It carries an average of 16,000 vehicles a day on Route 3 Business over the Rappahannock River.
The project replaced the bridge deck and travel surface, and repaired the bridge approaches and substructure. Before the project, Chatham Bridge was posted with a 15-ton vehicle weight limit, which will be removed when it reopens.
Attending the Ribbon Cutting and Pedestrian Preview
The ribbon cutting and pedestrian preview will be held rain or shine, although it will be cancelled for severe weather. Any updates to the event plan will be communicated through VDOT’s Chatham Bridge project page and locality alert systems.
Attendees planning to drive to the event are advised to use public parking lots or public street parking in Fredericksburg. For more information, visit City of Fredericksburg parking resources page.
Due to a previously scheduled special event in Pratt Park on Saturday, Oct. 9, parking is not recommended on the Stafford approach to Chatham Bridge.
The Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail in Stafford that passes underneath the Chatham Bridge remains an active work zone under the bridge, and will not be open to pedestrians at this location until April 2022. The shared use path on Chatham Bridge will remain accessible from Stafford at the street level with Route 3 Business and River Road.
While the Chatham Bridge is reopening to vehicle traffic Oct. 10, construction will continue as scheduled through April 2022 to repair the bridge’s substructure. The impact to traffic after the bridge reopens in Oct. will be limited. Only periodic single-lane closures, scheduled at off-peak times, are anticipated.
Recent Stories
Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors easily approved the fiscal year 2025 budget with a few changes on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to take effect on July 1.
School officials in Prince William County say Antisemitic symbols were found painted on the side of Coles Elementary and Benton Middle schools near Woodbridge.
Manassas City Council held a public hearing on the city’s budget, as residents once again are facing the prospect of paying more in taxes.
On April 22, 2024, at approximately 2:16 a.m., the Manassas City Police Department responded to a 911 call for shots fired in the 9100 block of Winterset Drive.
To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
