| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Jeff Caldwell 804-524-6179 richmondinfo@VirginiaDOT.org Sara Cross 804-524-6387 |
RICH-Rich-35 June 11, 2004 |
VDOT CLOSES ROUTE 5 BRIDGE OVER CHICKAHOMINY RIVER TO RIVER TRAFFIC Motorists Can Still Use Bridge
CHARLES CITY COUNTY—The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed the Judith Stewart Dresser Memorial Bridge that carries Route 5 over the Chickahominy River to river traffic. Motorists can still use the structure, commonly known as the Barretts Ferry Bridge, but boat traffic has been restricted indefinitely.
As the bridge tender attempted a routine opening of the swing-span bridge this morning, the moveable portion of the bridge came into contact with the fixed approach span. This conflict caused the moveable portion to stick. After much effort, crews were able to get the bridge back into its closed position.
The bridge is designed to allow the moveable portion to pivot in a curved opening. Early indications are that the eastern approach span has shifted, closing the clearance gap between the moveable and fixed spans. Engineers have restricted the bridge in its closed position until repairs can be made. No details about a repair schedule are available at this time.
Traffic remains restricted to one lane controlled by a signal due to earlier maintenance issues.
“The bridge remains safe for regular vehicular travel,” said Richmond district bridge engineer Fred Townsend, P.E. “We are doing everything we can to minimize inconvenience while addressing numerous maintenance concerns with this 65-year-old structure. We regret the impact to river traffic but want to keep the bridge accessible to the 3,100 vehicles that cross the bridge on an average day.”
VDOT will communicate more information about the bridge’s condition as it becomes available.
The swing-span truss bridge was originally constructed in 1939 and carries one lane of traffic each direction on Route 5. The bridge stands 2,025 feet long with 29 spans and is 24 feet wide from curb to curb. It was constructed using timber pilings and has a concrete and steel driving deck. It functions as a swing-span structure, meaning it pivots on an axis to allow boats to pass through an opening rather than lifting upward as is often the case with drawbridges.
As the bridge tender attempted a routine opening of the swing-span bridge this morning, the moveable portion of the bridge came into contact with the fixed approach span. This conflict caused the moveable portion to stick. After much effort, crews were able to get the bridge back into its closed position.
The bridge is designed to allow the moveable portion to pivot in a curved opening. Early indications are that the eastern approach span has shifted, closing the clearance gap between the moveable and fixed spans. Engineers have restricted the bridge in its closed position until repairs can be made. No details about a repair schedule are available at this time.
Traffic remains restricted to one lane controlled by a signal due to earlier maintenance issues.
“The bridge remains safe for regular vehicular travel,” said Richmond district bridge engineer Fred Townsend, P.E. “We are doing everything we can to minimize inconvenience while addressing numerous maintenance concerns with this 65-year-old structure. We regret the impact to river traffic but want to keep the bridge accessible to the 3,100 vehicles that cross the bridge on an average day.”
VDOT will communicate more information about the bridge’s condition as it becomes available.
The swing-span truss bridge was originally constructed in 1939 and carries one lane of traffic each direction on Route 5. The bridge stands 2,025 feet long with 29 spans and is 24 feet wide from curb to curb. It was constructed using timber pilings and has a concrete and steel driving deck. It functions as a swing-span structure, meaning it pivots on an axis to allow boats to pass through an opening rather than lifting upward as is often the case with drawbridges.
Page last modified: June 11, 2004
