The Monroe Avenue Bridge on Route 1 in Alexandria is expected to close for more than two and a half years on Wednesday.
City officials and planners estimate the detour caused by construction could add up to four minutes to commutes.
They said they would be monitoring delays and could consider changes to the detour if waits are longer than expected.
The delays are expected to last for 30 months. Direct access to and from Slaters Lane to Route 1 will be cut off.
During construction, the bridge is expected to be straightened and widened in order to keep traffic moving without have to turn, said Kevin Hall, land development manager for the Potomac Yard development.
Potomac Yard has committed $15 million to the project as a proffer to Alexandria.
He said the city and Potomac Yard would be monitoring traffic to ensure that people stay on the detour route, which he said will beclearly defined and visible.
“We’re going to be monitoring on a daily, weekly and monthly basis throughout construction and working with the city to make adjustments,” Hall said.
Alexandria’s City Engineer Emily Baker said that the city has reached out to residents near the bridge to let them know about the changes well in advance.
“We don’t expect it’s going to result in traffic going through neighborhoods, but it is going to be a change from what people are used to,” she said.
At a glance
» Kevin Hall said the city would consider adding stop signs to increasing police monitoring to stop cars from cutting through neighborhoods to avoid the detour.
» The Potomac Yard development contains housing, retail and office space. It is expected to open in phases during the next 10 years, Hall said.
