| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sandy Myers (540) 332-9201 Sandy.Myers@vdot.virginia.gov Cellular: (540) 292-2500 |
STA-024 Jan. 25, 2008 |
NORTH FORK BRIDGE DEMOLITION SET FOR FEBRUARY 3 IN WARREN COUNTY
Update: Slow-motion video of bridge demolition, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008
(WMV, :20, 2 MB)Requires the free Windows Media Player. Get it here.
STAUNTON – Contractors working on the Virginia Department of Transportation North Fork bridge project in Warren County will be demolishing the old bridge trusses on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 3. Explosive charges will be set and will bring down the trusses with one blast at approximately 8 a.m. Individuals in the area should expect a very brief loud noise as a result of this operation.
Prior to the demolition, traffic will be stopped on Route 340, East & West Duck Street, East Strasburg Road, Route 55, Guard Hill Road and Quarry Road. Motorists can expect the halt in traffic to last 15 to 20 minutes.
According to VDOT Area Construction Engineer Ben Lineberry, a clear zone will be maintained in the area for the blasting operations. Lineberry says, “People in buildings near the bridge do not need to evacuate, but should remain inside to be safe.”
The demolition will be performed by Demtech Inc. of Dubois, Wyo. Demtech has executed demolitions throughout the United States and internationally.
The bridge will be demolished using explosives attached to the steel support beams. Once the explosives have been discharged, the steel beams will fall straight down to the ground where crews will cut and remove the debris from the site.
Due to the geography of the area and the need to remain clear of the site, it will not be possible for citizens to directly observe the blast. To maintain safety, citizens must not enter the demolition area during the morning of February 3.
In September 2005 the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded the $19.2 million North Fork Bridge project to Flippo Construction Co. Inc. of Forrestville, Md. The project includes replacing the existing three-lane bridge on Route 340/522 (Winchester Road) over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River with a new five-lane structure that includes sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Bridge approaches were rebuilt as part of this project. Traffic began using the new structure in late summer 2007. Intersection and signal improvements are also included as part of the project. The project’s scheduled completion date is September 2009.
Local officials and businesses are being contacted concerning the demolition. VDOT will put out variable message boards and flyers to assist in community notification of this event. Citizens with questions on the bridge demolition can contact VDOT Project Engineer Ed Wymer at (540) 635-2905 or Ben Lineberry, Area Construction Engineer at (888) 565-6236.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-800-578-4111. (TTY/TDD users, call 711). Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.
Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. Virginia’s highway safety partnership — the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Virginia State Police — challenges you to help prevent highway fatalities. Buckle up. Avoid distractions. Share the road. Drive drug- and alcohol-free. Obey speed limits. For more information on the Highway Safety Challenge and things you can do to avoid becoming Virginia’s next traffic fatality, visit www.safeVAhighways.org.
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