RELEASE: CONTACT:

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

RICH-50 July 15, 2004

VDOT OPENS BARRETTS FERRY BRIDGE TO RIVER TRAFFIC

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va.— The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has reopened the Route 5 Barretts Ferry Bridge to river traffic, enabling over-height boats to pass through the bridge for the first time since it was closed to marine traffic June 11. Work continues to permanently repair a sagging bridge pier that resulted in more than a 10-inch gap between the moveable and fixed portions of the bridge, closing the structure to vehicular traffic. Vehicular traffic is expected to return to the bridge in early August.

“VDOT and Corman Construction, Inc. worked diligently to make the moveable portion of the bridge operable by our July 15 deadline,” said Thomas A. Hawthorne, VDOT’s Richmond district administrator. “We know numerous boaters have been unable to pass by the bridge since it closed and we appreciate their patience. Our next task is making the permanent repairs that will allow us to return vehicular traffic to the bridge, and we’ll keep working 24 hours a day to make that happen as soon as possible.”

VDOT expects to leave the bridge open to river traffic for a longer period of time, at 9 a.m. July 16, to allow boats to pass through the bridge after pedestrians have had time to cross the bridge for their morning commutes to work.

VDOT, Charles City County and James City County continue to offer golf-cart shuttles across the bridge and limited bus service from the James City County side of the bridge into Williamsburg. However, crews are restricting pedestrian access across the bridge for short durations when it is hazardous for individuals to cross through the work zone and when the bridge is open to river traffic. Crews will adjust operations during prime commuting times when possible.

VDOT issued an emergency contract in late June and chose Corman Construction to make nearly $700,000 of repairs to the bridge. The contractor is reinforcing the sagging bridge with several large steel beams spanning three piers on top of the bridge deck. These beams are supporting 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.

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.

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.