Governor Glenn Youngkin took part in a ceremonial signing of the Commonwealth Transportation Special Structures Program Revenue Bond Act of 2025 (SB 1082) on August 28, 2025. The event, held at the Rappahannock River in Lancaster County, marks an acceleration of the replacement for the Robert O. Norris, Jr. Bridge by eight years.
The new law was sponsored by Senator Ryan McDougle during the 2025 General Assembly Session and allows construction on a modern Norris Bridge to begin in 2028 rather than 2036 as previously scheduled. The bridge will feature wider travel lanes, fully functional shoulders, and taller guardrails.
“Today, we are doing more than signing a piece of legislation, we’re delivering peace of mind to thousands of Virginians who cross this bridge every day,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “With this legislation, we’re moving forward nearly a decade ahead of schedule to build a modern, safe, and reliable bridge. This is about making life easier for the families, workers, and businesses who depend on this bridge and providing a more inviting gateway to Virginia’s beautiful Northern Neck.”
The current Norris Bridge carries Route 3 over the Rappahannock River between Lancaster and Middlesex counties. Built in 1957 with two travel lanes but no real shoulders, it serves around 7,560 vehicles daily. Should it close unexpectedly, detours can extend up to 85 miles since the next closest crossing is about 40 miles away.
The bridge is one of Virginia’s eighteen mega bridge and tunnel facilities classified as Special Structures due to their size or complexity. The Commonwealth Transportation Board maintains an updated long-term plan for these structures’ maintenance and replacement.
Senate Bill 1082 authorizes up to $1 billion in revenue bonds—capped at $200 million annually—to support projects under the Special Structures Program. These funds will be allocated from revenues designated for this purpose.
“Building safe, reliable infrastructure is foundational to the Commonwealth’s ability to attract and retain businesses, encourage tourism, and care for its residents,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III.“Today, we’re doubling down on our commitment to invest in the future success of our state by addressing the Norris Bridge and other critical bridge and tunnel projects with urgency.”
“Today, we are celebrating the acceleration of the Norris Bridge replacement, a critical infrastructure investment we have been fighting to achieve for over a decade,” said Senator Ryan McDougle.“This project is not just about concrete and steel; it’s about protecting lives and ensuring safe travel for thousands who depend on this crossing every day. We are making a critical investment in the safety of our communities, our families, and everyone who travels through the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Accelerating this replacement shows that we are serious about meeting the needs of Virginians and ensuring peace of mind for generations to come.”
“This project is about more than just replacing a bridge, it’s about protecting lives, safer travel and stronger economic opportunity for our region,” said Senator Richard Stuart.“I can’t thank the Governor and the Secretary of Transportation enough for getting this done so that we can get traffic moving across the lower Rappahannock River safely. Families, first responders,and businesses all stand to benefit.”
“The replacement of the Norris Bridge has been a top priority for our region for decades,and thanks tothe hard workof numerous citizens combined with Commonwealth Transportation Special Structures Program Revenue Bond Act that long-awaited dayis finallyin sight,”said Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent.“Withthis funding mechanism inplace,wecan now ensurea safe modernand reliable crossingthatwill serveour region including residents visitorsand businessesfor generationstocome.Thisisa victoryfor LancasterCounty,the NorthernNeck,andthe Commonwealthasawhole.”
“I’m pleasedthe NorrisBridge replacementis finallybeing accomplished,”said DelegateM.KeithHodges.“Thisisa projectI’ve longsupportedto improvesafetyand roadconditionsforour region.”
Engineering work has already started alongside right-of-way acquisition efforts related tothe newbridge.The upcoming structurewill offer lanesand shouldersthat meetcurrent design standardsalongwith higher rails.A public hearingon design planswill take placebefore construction begins.The existingbridgewill remainopen untilthenewone opens afterwhichit will be demolished.More information onthe projectis available atthe VDOT website.
“Untiltheday thenewbridgeopens ourmissionattheVirginiaDepartmentofTransportation(VDOT)willincludeongoingmaintenanceandinspectionoftheexistingNorrisBridge,”said VDOT CommissionerofHighways StephenC.Brich.“Ourteamofengineers roaddesigners inspectorsandmaintenancestaffwillsustainthebridgeaswedeliveranewbridgeontimeandonbudgetfortheCommonwealth.”
Construction will usea design-build process.The newbridgereplacestructuresthat datebacknearly70yearswhile keepingtrafficflowing duringwork.Video coveragefromthe announcementcanbe found online.
