COURTLAND
The project to eliminate the existing signalized intersection at the Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) and Route 58 Business split that has been in the works for nearly 30 years will be delayed one additional week after the contractor was forced to adjust the start date. The Virginia Department of Transportation initially scheduled construction to begin on March 14.

“The contractor had to adjust the start of construction date because traffic control plans call for message boards to be up two weeks prior to construction,” VDOT Senior Public Affairs Specialist Tiffany Whitfield said. “Also, the contractor is still in the process of installing construction signs. The actual construction start date has been moved to the middle of next week.”

The $15 million project, awarded earlier this year to Curtis Contracting Inc, was in and out of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors’ six-year plan for much of the past three decades, though an extra push has been made in the last 10 years because of an increase in tractor trailer traffic.

No detours are planned for construction, though temporary lane closures will be set up as needed. The public will be given prior notice for all lane closures. All traffic traveling into or around Courtland via Route 58 will pass through the interchange.

The first bridge will span 525 feet with two 12-foot lanes, while the second bridge will be 224 feet in length and with two 12-foot lanes. Two roundabouts and three ramps will be constructed to connect the bridges to Route 58.

Supporting drainage systems and a stormwater facility will also be installed as part of the overall project.

For more information, motorists are asked to visit the project page at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/hamptonroads/courtland_interchange.asp.