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Beginning as early as Monday, Feb. 20, the Virginia Department of Transportation will close a portion of Route 743 (Burnt Reed Road) to replace a bridge over Tarrara Creek, near Boykins in Southampton County. 

A VDOT news release stated that the project will include replacing the multi-span, steel-beam, wood-deck bridge with a single-span, box-beam bridge and updating the bridge approach to include 11-foot lanes.

Route 743 (Burnt Reed Road) will be closed to through traffic near the intersection of Route 743 (Burnt Reed Road) and Route 716 (Odom Chapel Road), with signed detours in place. However, access to all existing private property and business entrances within the work zone will be maintained at all times.

Motorists heading north on Route 743 (Burnt Reed Road) will detour around the road closure by turning right on Route 716 (Odom Chapel Road), left onto Route 665 (Cross Keys Road), left onto Route 671 (General Thomas Highway) and return to Route 743. Motorists intending to head south on Route 743 (Burnt Reed Road) at the closure should reverse the detour.

VDOT awarded the $1.29 million project contract to Crofton Construction Services Inc. in late 2022. The project is anticipated to be completed in fall 2023. All construction work is dependent upon weather conditions, and the schedule is subject to change.

Motorists are advised to plan their commute by using VDOT’s free traffic information tools:

• Download the 511 smartphone app or 511-integrated Waze app.
• Visit the 511 Virginia website or dial 511 for traffic information by phone.
• Follow @511HamptonRoads and @VaDOTHR on Twitter.