By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Sep 9, 2014, 16:17
PRINCE GEORGE — The recent closings of the Benjamin Harrison Bridge, which connects Prince George to Charles City County, has taken its toll on the flow of business coming into the nearby Dockside Restaurant and Lounge.
“When the bridge is closed, we don’t really get many people coming in,” said Susan Anthony, who works waiting tables at Dockside.
Anthony said the bridge closings, which began in June, have substantially affected her income from the restaurant.
Owner of Dockside, Victor Lavimodiere, said that the closure has substantially affected the traffic into the restaurant, changing business considerably.
Lavimodiere said the signs marking the closure might be a part of the reason business has declined since work on the bridge began.
“They put the road signs out that say road closed when it really is only the bridge that is closed and it’s not local traffic. They don’t put that out there, so people don’t actually think we’re open, so they don’t come this way. It really makes a big difference,” said Lavimodiere.
From the deck of the restaurant is a full view of the James River, and from these seats, you can also catch sight of the bridge, which is located less than a mile from the restaurant on Jordan Point Road.
The Benjamin Harrison Bridge was originally built in 1966 and was rebuilt in 1977 after a tanker ship crashed into the north side of the bridge.
According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, approximately 4,500 cars travel over the bridge daily.
The bridge work includes two projects. The first will replace the bridge’s auxiliary drive. The second project will provide maintenance to the superstructure of the bridge, which includes beam repairs and deck patching.
The projects will close the bridge every other week, for four days a week, and is expected to be finished in November. September 8-12 and 22-26 are the next closing dates for the bridge.
A detour is in place for those who need to get across the river. The detour follows Route 10 west to 295 north to exit 22A, taking Route 5 back to Jordan Point Road.
Although business has dropped since the bridgework began, Lavimodiere continues to have a positive outlook on the weeks to come.
“Hopefully it won’t affect us more than it already has,” said Lavimodiere. “The fact that customers are still coming out now is much appreciated.”
