RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Jeff Caldwell 804-524-6179 richmondinfo@VirginiaDOT.org Sara Cross 804-524-6387

RICH-46 July 7, 2004

VDOT FORCED TO REVISE ROUTE 5 BARRETTS FERRY BRIDGE REPAIR SCHEDULE

CHARLES CITY COUNTY—The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has expedited the repair process for the ailing Route 5 Barretts Ferry Bridge connecting Charles City County and James City County across the Chickahominy River, but the 65-year-old bridge is deteriorating faster than crews can rush to repair it.

The continued movement in the bridge has prompted VDOT to reevaluate the repair schedule put into place to address the bridge’s structural issues. In late June, when VDOT engineers designed repairs to lift a three-ton weight limit and restrictions to marine traffic, the gap between the fixed and moveable spans of the bridge measured just over 4 inches. That gap widened to 6.5 inches by June 24, prompting VDOT to close the bridge entirely to protect motorist safety. As of July 6, the fixed portion of the bridge has sagged a total of 9.25 inches, further complicating expected repairs.

VDOT issued an emergency contract in late June and chose Corman Construction to make nearly $700,000 of repairs to the bridge. As repair work began in earnest yesterday, VDOT and the contractor decided that additional measures were necessary to keep the bridge from deteriorating to the point where repairs would be even more complicated and have a more significant traffic impact.

The contractor will reinforce the sagging bridge by installing several large steel beams spanning three piers on top of the bridge deck. These beams will halt the continued downward movement and support the weight of the bridge while contractors install a new crutch pier near where the eastern fixed span connects with the moveable portion of the bridge. The location of these beams on the topside of the bridge deck will interfere with plans to return one lane of traffic to the bridge by July 15.

Crews are still committed to having the moveable portion of the bridge back in operation by mid July, allowing river traffic to pass. Engineers hope to restore vehicular traffic to the bridge by early August. At that time, VDOT expects to open the bridge to two-way traffic including heavy trucks.

“We are all very disappointed that we could not achieve our original goal to restore some level of vehicular service by mid July,” said Thomas A. Hawthorne, VDOT’s Richmond district administrator. “We know that the closure of this bridge is an inconvenience to those who depend on this river crossing. However, the continued sagging in the bridge even after we removed all traffic load from it makes it necessary to alter our original repair plan and schedule.”

Motorists are advised to follow the posted 63-mile detour until further notice. Eastbound motorists should take Route 155 to Route 60 to Route 614 to Route 5. Westbound motorists should take Route 614 to Route 60 to Route 155 to Route 5. Detours are posted.

Charles City County and James City County have tried to ease the inconvenience for commuters by providing golf-cart shuttles across the bridge and limited bus service from the James City County side of the bridge into Williamsburg. Shuttle service will continue until further notice, but may be impacted when the contractor begins activities on the bridge that would be unsafe to pedestrians crossing through the work zone.

The bridge is commonly known as the Barretts Ferry Bridge and was officially named the Judith Stewart Dresser Memorial Bridge in 2003. It was closed after a series of maintenance issues caused a one-lane closure, restriction to boat traffic and finally the complete closing of the bridge to ensure motorist safety.

The swing-span truss bridge was originally constructed in 1939 and carries one lane of traffic each direction. The bridge is 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.

For more information about this bridge and other projects visit www.VirginiaDOT.org.

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