Recently Completed

Area Map

Benjamin Harrison Bridge

Project at a Glance

Begin Date
Late Nov. 2007

Est Completion Date
March 2009 (aproximately 200 days ahead of the October 2009 estimated completion)

Cost
$7.9 million (approximately $393,000 under the $9.1 million allotted budget)

Contractor
Titan Industrial Service, Inc.

District
Richmond

Contact
Mike Saunders, P.E.

Project details

A renovation project was completed to repaint and refinish the 40 year-old bridge. The painting portion of the project was completed March 2009. The detector system and overheight restrictions, which were in place have been removed. Contractors are continuing to work on tower and elevator upgrades, which is expected to be complete in October 2009.

Throughout the project there were several concerns about the European starling population roosting on the bridge. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries granted a waiver to allow work to resume during the yearly Peregrine falcon nesting (from mid-February to mid-July). Special precautions were taken to avoid interrupting the falcon during their nesting period.

At this time, we are continuing open dialogues with various individuals and groups about nonlethal alternatives. These include the use of bird netting and devices that could be attached to the bridge to prevent the birds from roosting. VDOT will investigate the feasibility of this option and others before moving forward.

The bridge carries two lanes of traffic over the James River, connecting Roxbury Road in Charles City County and Jordan Point Road in Prince George County. This is a main route for commuters and commercial traffic in the area, carrying more than 4,000 vehicles per day.

Benefits

The newly-painted bridge will better withstand rusting, thus extending its useful life.

Contacts