| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Joan Morris (703) 383-2465 Joan.Morris@vdot.virginia.gov Mike Salmon (703)383-2055 mike.salmon@vdot.virginia.gov Jennifer Holland, Wilson Bridge Project (703) 329-0300 |
NR08-10 Jan. 28, 2008 |
I-95/TELEGRAPH ROAD INTERCHANGE WORK BEGINS THIS SPRING
Major Traffic Impacts Anticipated During Construction
Building an improved Telegraph Road Interchange is the final component of the overall $2.52 billion Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project. During construction the Telegraph Road Interchange project will be closely coordinated with several additional megaprojects in Northern Virginia, including the building of high-occupancy-toll lanes on I-95 and I-495 and widening I-95.
“With today’s contract award, we are ready to begin the final phase of the Wilson Bridge Project,” commented Ronaldo T. Nicholson, P.E., Project Manager for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project and Director of Mega-Projects for Northern Virginia. “Though this year will see the second new Wilson Bridge and additional major elements of the project come on line, we ask for the public’s continued understanding, as construction is not over. Motorists should expect continued delays at the Telegraph Road Interchange in the coming months and years.”
“As construction intensifies, VDOT plans to deploy resources and strategies to reduce this pain, and will be coordinating these efforts with the traffic management plans of other Northern Virginia megaprojects,” remarked Nicholson. “Keeping traffic moving smoothly through the region is a top priority to VDOT during these coming years of major highway improvements.”
Ultimately, the new, grade-separated interchange will provide access to eastbound Huntington Avenue and North Kings Highway from the Beltway Outer Loop and southbound Telegraph Road, through elevated ramps over Telegraph Road, rather than signalized intersections. Access from the Beltway Outer Loop to southbound Telegraph Road also will be provided via an elevated ramp. Traffic lights will provide access from northbound Telegraph Road to eastbound Huntington Avenue and North Kings Highway, as well as access from westbound Huntington Avenue and North Kings Highway to southbound or northbound Telegraph Road.
These traffic improvements are expected to improve traffic flow, as well as provide easier and safer pedestrian access. Another key component of the project includes widening approximately two miles of I-95/Capital Beltway from west of Route 1 to the Eisenhower Connector Exit, just past Telegraph Road.
Overall, the contract will build eleven ramps and bridges, five box culvert extensions, drainage improvements, retaining walls, noise walls, pedestrian paths, traffic systems, lighting, signage, landscaping and an environmental mitigation project at the Cameron Run Wetlands.
Business and utility relocations as well as ground strengthening work were completed in advance of the interchange reconstruction.
Corman-Kiewit Constructors, a joint venture of Corman Construction and Kiewit Corporation is the contractor.
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