BELLE HAVEN, Va. - The Virginia Department of Transportation has announced the reopening of Shields Bridge Road with the ahead-of-schedule completion of a new bridge over the Occohannock Creek.
As WBOC has previously reported, the Shields Bridge has carried traffic across the Occohannock Creek since the 1930s. In January of 2025, VDOT began construction to replace and modernize the bridge after the original had been deemed structurally deficient.
"Turned out property into a cul-de-sac," John Long, whose family has lived on Shields Bridge Road for generations, said. "It's been nice and peaceful since the bridge has been under construction."
On April 22, 2026, VDOT said the $7.76 million replacement project had been completed. Officials say the new bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on Wednesday.
The new bridge is 9 feet higher, with wider lanes and guardrails at all approaches and departures.
"The lanes are why the bridge itself is in total about eight feet wider than the old bridge," Hampton Roads District Area Construction Engineer Chris Wojtowicz said. "It gives a little bit more room for two cars to pass, and especially if there are folks on bicycles or walking or jogging in that area, that gives a little bit more room for vehicles to pass them."
VDOT crews removed the closure on Shields Bridge Road between Main Street/Big Pine Road (Route 609) and Boston Road (Route 178) on Wednesday afternoon.
“Motorists should remain alert for mobile and flagging operations on Shields Bridge Road as crews complete final remaining work activities such as seeding in the shoulder areas, anticipated to be complete by late spring,” VDOT said in a press release.
