FREDERICKSBURG – Route 17 travelers crossing the George P. Coleman Bridge between York and Gloucester counties will encounter periodic lane closures this spring as crews demolish and remove the former toll plaza structure at the bridge’s northern end.
Starting on Monday, March 16, weather permitting, crews will mobilize on site and will begin installing work zone signs and barrier and staging equipment. Route 17 northbound and southbound will be reduced to a single lane near the former toll plaza from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily between Tuesday, March 17-Thursday, March 19.
Two northbound and southbound lanes of Route 17 will remain open in the work zone during peak travel times, such as during the morning and evening commuter rush.
The project includes demolition and removal of the former toll booth plaza canopy, toll booths, and an underground walkway connecting the toll booths. Near the end of construction, crews will restore the road surface in the area of the former toll plaza.
All work is scheduled to be complete by mid-June 2026.
Tolling was lifted at the Coleman Bridge on Aug. 8, 2025. At that time, crews installed temporary pavement markings to direct all Route 17 northbound traffic to travel through the three former toll booth lanes closest to the right shoulder.
Between March and the end of the project in mid-June, travelers on Route 17 northbound approaching the former toll plaza will encounter temporary traffic patterns as lanes are shifted to provide necessary space for crews and equipment to demolish the toll plaza.
During construction, the speed limit on Route 17 northbound will remain 35 mph at the toll plaza. Advisory 20 mph speed limit signs will also remain posted in the vicinity of the former toll collection point until demolition is complete.
The Coleman Bridge is the largest double-swing span bridge in the United States and spans 3,750 feet across the York River. VDOT continues to maintain and operate this bridge.
Demolition Services, Inc., of Culpeper, is the demolition contractor.
