After nearly a year of detours and construction, Ivy residents will be able to drive over the Route 708 bridge on Dry Bridge Road. According to VDOT construction manager Paul Huckins, the bridge is slated to open on Sept. 12.

“This project has been somewhat of a challenge with the constraints of bridge construction over an active railroad, requiring  a major utility relocation, all within such a small footprint. I think you will notice a vast improvement in the ride over the new bridge and approaches. Additionally, the old bridge was restricted to eight tons whereas there are no weight restrictions on the new bridge,” Huckins said.

People traveling from Charlottesville to Peacock Hill, for example, will no longer face a 10 to 15 minute delay caused by travelling down Route 250 and taking a detour on Gillums Ridge Road; instead, they will be able to turn on to Morgantown Road and cross over the new bridge.

Nonetheless, Huckins noted that “equipment will still be working in this area removing field offices, storage buildings and re-grading the property” after the Sept. 12 opening.