The speed drops from 45 mph to 35 mph, not 25 mph. You are in a town with pedestrians crossing the road and numerous side streets intersecting Rt. 301. The 35-mph speed limit only lasts for less than 1/2 mile, so the impact on travel time won't kill you. There is rarely a policeman at the end of the bridge, and on those occasions they only hand out tickets to those going over 50 mph in a 35-mph zone.

There's a speed trap at the same location (Rt. 301 N bound) in the other direction, too, where the limit drops from 45 to 35 mph for about 2 blocks prior to the bridge. There's no change in the road or traffic conditions to justify the speed limit drop, and the cops sit there and write tickets. I'm wondering if the reduced speed limit for that stretch of Rt 301 was based on an engineering study or is just for the purpose of collecting as much $$ as possible. This part of Virginia is known for its speed traps.