Work underway to replace Wilson Blvd Bridge in Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (FOX 5 DC) - Some Northern Virginia drivers could be in for a rough weekend.

The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to close both eastbound and westbound Route 50 within Seven Corners from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday in order to replace the Wilson Boulevard bridge.

“We usually do traditional bridge construction but obviously with the traffic volumes here, our group said no, we can’t take that bridge out of service so find another way,” explained VDOT Spokesperson Ellen Kamilakis.

Here’s how they’re getting the $3.8 million project done so quickly: starting Friday night, crews will cut out the existing bridge deck, only leaving behind the bridge’s abutments. They’ll then truck in three 87-foot-long pieces of bridge, all constructed off-site. The bridge sections will then be lifted into place and joined together with concrete.

“It’s gonna be essentially the same result but without the impact on traffic that this area absolutely can not absorb,” Kamilakis said.

According to VDOT, drivers can expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.