Say goodbye to the old Hugenot Bridge

Details about the new bridge and your chance to hang out on the old bridge without dodging traffic are below. The quick fact that you need to know is 10 p.m. Friday, June 29, the existing Huguenot Bridge will be closed to traffic to allow crews to move barriers into position and install pavement markings at the approaches to the new bridge. VDOT expects preparations to be completed and traffic shifted to the new bridge by 10 a.m. Saturday, June 30, weather permitting.

From the press release;

After the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) shifts traffic from the existing Huguenot Memorial Bridge to the first half of the new bridge on Saturday, the public will have the opportunity to walk, bike or picnic on the old bridge Sunday, July 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. without disruption from vehicles. Crews will begin demolition of the 62-year-old bridge the following week to make way for the remaining half of the new bridge.

“It’s not easy to say goodbye to something that has been a critical part of the Richmond community since 1950,” said Ray Johnston, project manager. “We’re hoping people will take advantage of this occasion to enjoy a leisurely day on the old bridge before its gone forever.”

During the event, Huguenot Road traffic will continue to use the new bridge to cross the river. In order to safely access the old bridge, event participants will enter by foot or bike via the closed ramp from Riverside Drive on the south end of the bridge. Parking will be available along Riverside Drive. From Huguenot Road, drivers are encouraged to take Old Spring Road, turn right on Southampton Road to reach Riverside Drive (map). Richmond Police will monitor parking. Due to the traffic configuration just north of the bridge, VDOT does not advise participants to use the north approach for parking or access to the event.

Ice chests and folding chairs will be permitted on the bridge. Glass containers and alcohol will not be permitted. To keep the bridge and James River free of litter, the City of Richmond’s Clean City Commission and Department of Public Works will place trash and recycle bins along the bridge.

Contractor, Skanska Inc., will begin bridge demolition in the days following this event. To ensure the James River is not adversely impacted by the demolition, the old bridge will be taken apart in sections. Much of the demolition will be done from the existing bridge. The temporary causeway will be moved to under the existing bridge to aid in the demolition

My completely unnecessary and snarky comment of the day is, “Did VDOT really pay someone to come up with a logo for a farewell celebration for a bridge?”