CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Starting the weekend of Feb. 17, Chesapeake’s Gilmerton Bridge will be closed for six weekends to complete important bridge improvements.

It’s all a part of a project to reduce the amount of future maintenance required for the counterweight system. 

The work was supposed to begin in January, but was delayed.

A marked detour utilizing I-64 and the high rise will be in place during the closures. Motorists will likely have to take I-464 or George Washington Highway southbound to get to Interstate 64. 

Below is the updated closure schedule, which is subject to change due to weather.

The Feb. 24 scheduled closure did not happen because of inclement weather expected.

The closure scheduled for the weekend of March 10 also was cancelled because of the forecast.

The closure schedule is as follows:

• Friday, February 17, 9 p.m. – Monday, February 20, 5 a.m.
• February 24, 9 p.m. – Monday, February 27, 5 a.m. – CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
• Friday, March 3, 9 p.m. – Monday, March 6, 5 a.m.
• Friday, March 10, 9 p.m. – Monday, March 13, 5 a.m. – CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
• Friday, March 17, 9 p.m. – Monday, March 20, 5 a.m.
• Friday, March 24, 9 p.m. – Monday, March 27, 5 a.m.

On top of the closures, the Gilmerton will also have extended openings to allow for boat traffic to swing through, which could last up to 20 minutes. That’s expected to happen Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Friday, Feb. 17 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.