BUCKINGHAM — Construction to build a new bridge over the Slate River on Route 20 north of Dillwyn in Buckingham County is underway.

According to VDOT spokeswoman Paula Jones, “the project is under construction now, but that may simply be the contractor mobilizing equipment and prepping.”

According to VDOT, the $9.8 million project will improve safety and meet current design standards by replacing the bridge and approaches over Slate River in Buckingham County.

“The existing bridge is structurally deficient and has a Sufficiency Rating of 47.9 (out of 100) … The new bridge will be constructed to the northwest of the current bridge. It will be approximately 360-feet-long and 47-feet-wide. The roadway typical section will consist of two 12-foot lanes, 6-foot shoulders (2-foot paved) with guardrail, where required and appropriate drainage,” according to VDOT.

During construction, the existing bridge will be in use to reduce impacts to motorists.