The Virginia Department of Transportation has announced dates and times for two planned four-day shutdowns of the James River Bridge.

VDOT has awarded a contract to PCL Construction to replace 80 2-inch-thick wire cables original to the 41-year-old drawbridge that connects Isle of Wight County with Newport News.

The first of the two closures – one for each drawbridge tower – will be from 1 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, during which time all four travel lanes will be impassable.

The second four-day closure is set for 1 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Backup dates for the first closure are 1 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Backup dates for the second closure are 1 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, through 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12.

During the closures, all traffic will be detoured to the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel. Additional detours include the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry in Surry and Route 460 through Windsor.

During the specified timeframes, no drawbridge openings can be performed for marine vessels.  Maritime travel impacts may extend for up to an additional 24 hours to ensure the bridge span is aligned and operating properly after a series of test lifts. Boats that do not require a bridge opening will be able to pass under the bridge throughout the project’s duration.

PCL began preliminary work on Nov. 9, prompting several days of single-lane closures. The last of the single-lane closures are set for Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.