Lane reduced on banister bridge in chatham

The southbound Banister River Bridge is under construction; the southbound lane has been temporarily reduced in lanes for repairs.

The bridge was built in 1983. Damage was discovered to the bottom structures when the bridge had routine cleaning; it was determined that the two-lane bridge can no longer safely withstand the weight and amount of traffic that comes in and out of Tightsqueeze.

The bridge is extremely busy and the only main way into Tightsqueeze so it cannot be closed completely.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will eventually close the southbound side; the northbound side will then hold both directions of traffic.

VDOT has already started on the project repairs and has stated that the bridge should reopen fully around August 2023.