| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Jeff Caldwell 804-524-6179 richmondinfo@VirginiaDOT.org Sara Cross 804-524-6387 |
RICH-49a July 12, 2004 |
VDOT TO EXTEND GOLF CART SHUTTLE SERVICE Service Limited by Construction Work
CHARLES CITY COUNTY—The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will continue providing the golf cart shuttle service assisting commuters impacted by the closure of the Route 5 Barretts Ferry Bridge crossing the Chickahominy River. VDOT and the contractor working to repair the bridge will restrict access for short durations when it is hazardous for individuals to cross through the work zone by foot or shuttle. These disruptions will begin tonight as 24-hour repair operations begin in earnest.
“We know that the closure of this bridge is an inconvenience to those who depend on this river crossing, so we will continue to provide the shuttle service and allow people to cross the bridge on foot when it is safe,” said Thomas A. Hawthorne, VDOT’s Richmond district administrator. “However, we hope people will be patient with us during the periodic and short disruptions though out the day, when we will not be able to allow the shuttles and/or pedestrians to cross the bridge.”
Because of the nature of the construction work, these disruptions could occur at any given time with little advance warning. 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 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.
Crews are still committed to having the moveable portion of the bridge back in operation by July 15, 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.
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.
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.
“We know that the closure of this bridge is an inconvenience to those who depend on this river crossing, so we will continue to provide the shuttle service and allow people to cross the bridge on foot when it is safe,” said Thomas A. Hawthorne, VDOT’s Richmond district administrator. “However, we hope people will be patient with us during the periodic and short disruptions though out the day, when we will not be able to allow the shuttles and/or pedestrians to cross the bridge.”
Because of the nature of the construction work, these disruptions could occur at any given time with little advance warning. 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 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.
Crews are still committed to having the moveable portion of the bridge back in operation by July 15, 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.
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.
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.
Page last modified: July 13, 2004
