Under Construction

What's Being Done

A new fixed-span bridge will be constructed to carry traffic over the Chickahominy River. This bridge will replace the current Judith Stewart Dresser Memorial Bridge.

The new bridge will rise 52 feet above the water, with two 12-foot travel lanes, two 10-foot shoulders and a 10-foot shared-use path (separated from the main roadway by a divider) incorporated into the Virginia Capital Trail project.

The full width of the proposed bridge design is 56 feet eight inches from outside edge to edge and measures 2,550 feet in length. Construction will begin .38 miles west of the bank of the Chickahominy River on the Charles City County side to .18 miles east of the bank on the James City County side.

Once the new bridge is complete, traffic will be routed over the new bridge and the old bridge will be demolished.

Project Updates

Height Restriction for Marine Traffic

The contractor will install the remaining beams for the new Judith Stewart Dresser Memorial Bridge (Route 5) over the Chickahominy River by July 28. As a result, boaters with vessels taller than 52 feet will be restricted from passing under the bridge. News Release

Overnight Bridge Closures

VDOT plans to temporarily close the existing bridge to motorists a total of six nights (non-consecutive) between July and September 2008 to expedite the concrete deck installation for the new bridge.

Closure #1: July 10, 2008
Closure #2: July 17, 2008
Closure #3: TBA (estimated Aug. 21)
Closure #4: TBA
Closure #5: TBA
Closure #6: TBA

These closures are necessary to ensure motorist safety.  As a result, travelers will use the following detour (see map). Due to the length of this detour (63 miles), motorists are encouraged to make alternate travel plans, if possible, or allow for a minimum of 1 ½ hours additional travel time. Arrangements have been made to allow emergency vehicles access across the bridge.

From Charles City County (eastbound Rt. 5)

• Route 155 north in Charles City County
• To Route 60 east in New Kent County
• To Route 614 south in James City County
• Back to Route 5

From James City County (westbound Rt. 5)

• Route 614 north in James City County
• To Route 60 west in James City County, through New Kent County
• To Route 155 south in New Kent County, through Charles City County
• Back to Route 5

During the closure, construction crews will begin pouring the concrete deck for the new Rt. 5 bridge. In order to expedite the concrete installation, the contractor, Skanska, Inc., will need to place equipment on the existing bridge. For safety reasons, motorists will be restricted from using the bridge during this activity. Restricting traffic will also allow the contractor to complete the new bridge six weeks ahead of schedule.

A recent traffic count for the Route 5 bridge indicated 89 motorists use the bridge between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

Other News
 
In November 2006, the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $33.6 million contract to Skanska, Inc. of Norfolk (news release) to construct the new bridge.

Preliminary construction activities began in January 2007. Major construction activites began in May 2007.

May 21, 2007 news release: Route 5 Bridge Project Team Receives Governor's Award

Additional Information
If you would like additional information about this bridge project or would like to be added to our email list for updates on this project when available, please contact us at richmondinfo@virginiadot.org.

Impact on Traffic

VDOT will build the new bridge while allowing motorists to continue using the old bridge. Construction crews will need to open the swing span (old bridge) in order to transport materials to the worksite on barges. This will involve a temporary delay in traffic. When the new bridge nears completion, daytime lane closures may be needed in order to tie the existing roadways into the new bridge traffic pattern.

To increase motorist and worker safety, VDOT has extended the 35 mph speed limit to encompass the project limits--one mile on either side of the existing bridge. Local police will enforce this speed limit.

Due to the age and condition of the existing bridge, it was necessary to reduce the speed limit in the work zone to 35 mph to ensure that wear and tear was kept to a minimum. It's critical the existing bridge remain operational until the new bridge is completed. The existing bridge is structurally sound. However, excessive speed, particularly by heavy vehicles like trucks, causes the bridge to vibrate. Too much vibration can lead to the need for costly repairs. VDOT conducts periodic visual inspections of the existing bridge, looking for elevation changes and also uses seismic monitoring.

Features

Background:
The current bridge is 2,025 feet long and is 24 feet wide from curb to curb. It was constructed in 1939 using timber pilings and has a concrete and steel driving deck. It functions as a swing-span bridge, meaning it pivots on its axis to allow boats to pass through an opening rather than lifting upward like a drawbridge.

The bridge is commonly known as the Barrett's Ferry Bridge and was officially named the Judith Stewart Dresser Memorial Bridge in 2003.

 

Contacts

Public Affairs, 804.524.6179
Harold Dyson