RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Dawn Eischen 804-524-6179 Richmondinfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov Taya Moss 804-524-6094

RICH-0005 Jan. 25, 2006

VDOT BRINGING NEW LIFE TO RICHMOND AREA BRIDGES
Work on Route 60 bridge to begin Feb. 6

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va.-Due to aging structures and increasing traffic volumes, several bridges in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Richmond District are in various stages of rehabilitation. Beginning February 6, the Route 60 (Midlothian Turnpike) bridge near Otterdale Road between the Village of Midlothian and Route 288 will undergo repairs, resulting in a lane closure for westbound travelers through November 2007.

Depending on the techniques used to construct the bridge and the materials used, the average life of a bridge is 40 to 50 years. “Many of the bridges in the Richmond area were built back in the 1950’s and 1960’s,” says Gary Martin, VDOT Richmond District bridge engineer. “By rehabilitating these bridges, we extend the life of the structure and provide a smoother riding surface for motorists.”

Bridge rehabilitation can involve one or several methods to improve the structure. Overlay involves removing the top layer of the driving surface and replacing it with a new surface. Substructure repair is when supporting structures like piers and abutments are repaired or replaced. Superstructure repair involves replacing or repairing the beams the deck sits on. Deck replacement involves removal of the entire deck and sidewalks and replacing them with a new deck and sidewalks.

“In some cases, rehabilitating a bridge is more cost beneficial than completely replacing a bridge,” says Martin. Depending on the size of the bridge, materials used and method of rehabilitation, costs can vary. Building a new bridge would typically be considered when the cost of rehabilitation exceeds approximately 65% of the replacement cost. However, each case must be considered individually.

The following are current and upcoming bridge rehabilitation projects in the Richmond area:

• Route 60 (Midlothian Turnpike) bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad in Chesterfield County – Starting Feb. 6 at 9 a.m., this bridge will undergo repair to the substructure and replacement of the superstructure. Westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane. To ease congestion, motorists are encouraged to use Woolridge Road north or Charter Colony Parkway as an alternate to Route 288. Estimated completion: Nov. 2007.
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  I-85 bridge between Rt. 460 and Rt. 1 in Dinwiddie County – This project began in October 2004 and involves overlay and deck repairs. The left lane is closed in both directions on I-85 between Route 460 (mm 61) and Route 1 (mm 63). The remaining lanes are restricted to 12 feet. Estimated completion: March 2006.
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  Route 1 bridge over Stony Run Creek in Hanover County – This project began December 2005 and involves repair of a supporting beam. Traffic has been reduced from four lanes to two 14-foot lanes, one in each direction. Through March, travelers from Old Keeton Rd. will be restricted from making a left turn onto Rt. 1 south. Estimated completion: August 2006.
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  Meadow Road bridge over I-64 in Henrico County – This overlay project began November 2005. Temporary signals are in place to allow one-way traffic in alternating directions. Estimated completion: September 2006.
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  Route 623 (Ashland Rd.) bridge over I-64 in Goochland County – This deck replacement project began December 2005. The northbound lane is closed and travelers must use the posted detour. Estimated completion: April 2007.
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  Route 58 bridge over John Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg County – This overlay project began December 2005. Temporary signals are in place to allow one-way traffic in alternating directions. Estimated completion: July 2007.
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  Belvidere Road bridge over I-95 in Richmond – This project began in December 2005 and involves overlay and repair to the current structure. The left lanes are closed in both directions. Estimated completion: November 2007.
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  I-64 bridge over Acca Yard railroad in Henrico County – This deck replacement and widening project began in September 2004. I-64 travelers have been shifted to the newly built section of the bridge in order for workers to repair the existing bridge. I-195 north motorists merging on I-64 west are restricted from exiting at Staples Mill Road through Nov. 2006. Estimated completion: late 2007.

VDOT inspects bridges every two years, on average. Inspectors rate bridges based on national bridge inspection standards. One evaluation method uses ratings from zero to nine to determine the condition of the bridge. Each portion of the structure (deck, superstructure and substructure) is given a rating as well as the overall structure. Portions of a bridge that rates a five or less would typically cause VDOT to investigate whether or not repair is needed. A bridge that receives a four or less is considered deficient. “A deficient rating doesn’t mean the bridge is unsafe,” says Martin. “By continually maintaining our bridges, we repair them before they become unsafe.” A nine rating for a bridge is rare. In fact, newly built bridges often receive a rating of eight.

For more information about VDOT’s bridge rehabilitation projects or the impact they may have on traffic, go to www.VirginiaDOT.org.