The Shadow
STAUNTON – Replacement of the Rayon Drive bridge over the Jackson River in the city of Covington began in late April 2026. The bridge is located just south of the Rayon Terrace neighborhood, between West Jackson Street and West Edgemont Drive. The existing structure will remain open to traffic until the new one is completed.
The Rayon Drive bridge, which is two lanes wide and 269 feet long, dates back about 75 years and has a vehicle-weight limit of 13 tons. The new two-lane bridge will accommodate all legal loads. It will be built slightly to the east of the existing bridge in order to minimize traffic disruptions during construction. Motorists should be alert for flagger traffic control during certain phases of the project.
The new bridge is scheduled to open to traffic in late 2027. All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change.
Rayon Drive is the first bridge to go under construction as part of a $39.1 million design-build contract awarded to Orders Construction Company Inc. of Wytheville, Va. The contract includes five structures in four different localities within VDOT’s Staunton District.
For updated traffic alerts and travel information dial 511, visit the 511 Virginia website or download the mobile app.
The VDOT Customer Service Center operates 24/7 to help roadway users report potential hazards, make service requests or get information related to Virginia’s transportation network. Use its mobile friendly website or call
800-367-7623
.
Find the VDOT Staunton District on Facebook and X and follow VDOT statewide social media accounts. News releases, travel tips and project updates are on the VDOT website.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath countie
