Project Details:
Background
The Brambleton Avenue
Bridge is 44 years old and the typical life of a bridge deck
is just 30 years. The concrete deck is deteriorating and a
full deck replacement is needed. Over the years, natural
salts used for de-icing have seeped into the concrete
causing the steel to delaminate, so the bridge is tearing
itself up from the inside. Before the bridge deteriorates to
an unsafe condition, it is necessary to begin this work now.
*To view
assessment/condition photos of the bridge
(Click here)
The Project
The
rehabilitation of the bridge is a $7 million project which
includes replacing the deck, repairing the substructure,
widening the structure, and adding a 10-foot multi-use path
for the Elizabeth River Trail. The project also calls
for installing decorative lighting, guard rails, and stamped
concrete in the median. As part of the
rehabilitation project, a traffic signal at Botetourt Street
and Brambleton Avenue will be installed in addition to other
aesthetic improvements at the intersection. The
rehabilitation will be constructed in four phases, but it is
important to note this project is expected to take 18 months
to complete.
Pedestrian and Vehicular
Traffic
Details:
Traffic Pattern
During
the
construction project,
2 westbound lanes (heading towards the medical
complex and the Midtown Tunnel)
and a minimum of
1
lane eastbound (heading
downtown) will
remain open at all times. Motorists should expect
delays and may need to adjust their schedules accordingly.
The Elizabeth River Trail
The Elizabeth
River Trail which takes bikers and walkers over the bridge will
be rerouted onto Colley Avenue and Mowbray Arch during the
construction. The new trail will be widened to 10 feet.
The existing trail over the bridge is 5 feet.
Light Rail
The proposed new
light rail does not travel over the Brambleton Avenue Bridge.
The engineering firm,
Parsons Brinckerhoff, is designing a
separate bridge to the south of the Brambleton Avenue Bridge to
accommodate light rail.
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Project Location :
Brambleton Avenue Bridge Project Map
(Click on the map to view a readable version)
The Construction Phases
Phase 1:
During phase
1 of the project, the contractor will begin demolition of
the median and fill the areas with asphalt. Four traffic
lanes, two in each direction, in addition to both sidewalks
will remain open. At this time, crews will begin to
set up traffic control for the crossover at each end. The
contractor will begin the traffic control, signage and
demolition of the median on December 11.
Phase 3:
(Utility
issues made it necessary to start Phase 3 prior to
Phase 2.
This change is not expected to delay the project.)
During phase
3, three lanes of traffic will be shifted to the south side.
Two lanes will be heading westbound toward the medical
complex and 1 lane will travel eastbound.
Demolition
of the north side of the bridge will begin. A
new bridge deck will be constructed and a sidewalk
protection barrier on the north side will be erected.
The
work is scheduled to begin in early to mid-January and last
6-8 months.
Phase 2:
Phase 2 of
the project is the more complex part of the rehabilitation.
One side of the bridge will now be shut down. The south
side traffic will be rerouted to the north side, 3 lanes on
the north side will be open with 2 lanes heading westbound
toward the medical complex and 1 lane heading eastbound.
Contractors will begin demolition of the south side of the
bridge deck and will drive additional concrete piles to
support the new multi-use path. The waterline serving Fort
Norfolk will be upgraded, and the south side deck will be
replaced. The work will
probably begin around fall 2007.
Phase 4:
Contractors
will begin installing the decorative brick medians, install
the new traffic signal, and make aesthetic and functional
improvements to the intersection at Botetourt Street and
Brambleton Avenue. The work will probably begin in the
spring 2008.
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Contact Information:
Questions or concerns?
Chuck Joyner, P.E.
Assistant City Engineer
810 Union Street, Room 700
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 664-4602
E-mail:
pwdesign@norfolk.gov
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Media inquires?
Jennifer Gwaltney
Management Services
Management Analyst
810 Union Street, Room 800
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 664-4600
E-mail:
pworks@norfolk.gov |
