VDot News - October 19

VDOT COMPLETES DECK-TRUSS BRIDGE RE-INSPECTIONS



RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has completed the re-inspection of 11 deck-truss bridges similar in construction to the I-35W Minneapolis Bridge that collapsed in early August. No serious safety issues were uncovered during the inspections, but the bridge inspections noted needed repairs on three bridges. Work on two of these bridges has already been completed, while repairs on the third bridge are under way.



“We ordered inspections of all of our deck-truss bridges following the Minnesota collapse to ensure that there were no imminent safety issues,” said Ken Walus, VDOT’s state structure and bridge engineer. “Although we have no reason to suspect that any of our 20,823 bridges are unsafe for traffic, we are being extra cautious to ensure that any Virginia bridges similar to the bridge involved in the Minnesota tragedy received another inspection to look for anything out of the ordinary.”



For a complete list of the 11 deck-truss bridges including a summary of the inspection results, click here.



In all but three cases, the re-inspections of these structures turned up no major problems. Minor strengthening work was done to two bridges in Page County --the Route 340 Bridge over Jeremy’s Run and the Route 340 Bridge over Overall Run—to reinforce areas with increased deterioration. This deterioration was repaired within days and the bridges remain open to traffic. Projects are also under way to replace both of these bridges.



Ultrasonic inspections of a third structure, the Route 3 Robert O. Norris Bridge over the Rappahannock River in Middlesex County , found a possible abnormality within one of 160 pins used to connect structural elements in the bridge. Ultrasonic testing indicated an abnormality inside one 6-inch by 12-and-three-quarters-inch bridge pin not visible to the naked eye.



VDOT crews took immediate action to restrict the bridge to a three-ton weight limit on Oct. 3. An emergency contract was put into place to make necessary repairs. Repair work has begun on the bridge as crews have started to install extra bridge supports before replacing the bridge pin. Work is scheduled for completion Nov. 3. Meanwhile, vehicles weighing more than three-tons are being rerouted. Overweight vehicles should use Route 17 north to Route 360 near Tappahannock, follow Route 360 east to Warsaw , then take Route 3 south to bypass the bridge.



VDOT engineers completed the review bridge inspection reports for all fracture-critical bridges in its inventory and are currently conducting quality assurance reviews in the field. Routine bridge inspections also continue to ensure that all 20,823 Virginia bridges remain safe for motorists. When bridge inspectors find any safety concerns, bridges are immediately posted to reduce weight limits or closed until necessary repairs are made.



For more information about VDOT’s bridge-inspection program, visit www.VirginiaDOT.org/bridges.



VDOT AWARDS $2.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROMOTE WALKING AND BIKING TO SCHOOL

RICHMOND –The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently awarded $2.5 million in Safe Routes to Schools program funding to foster opportunities for Virginia children in grades K-8 to more safely walk and bike to school.

Launched in September 2006 by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, the Safe Routes to Schools program encourages children to walk and bike to school, teaches school-age children bicycle and pedestrian safety, promotes healthy and active lifestyles from an early age, and funds projects that improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

“Virginia is experiencing a disturbingly high number of traffic fatalities every year. We must pursue every possible way to address this epidemic and save lives,” said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern. “A key way to save lives is to convince drivers that they must share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians. The grants available within our Safe Routes to Schools program are another tool to reinforce that important message near schools where there is a high concentration of pedestrian traffic.”

The following localities received portions of $2.3 million in funding for infrastructure projects. These can include signing, sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle crossings, traffic-calming improvements, and other bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

· City of Alexandria

· City of Charlottesville

· City of Colonial Heights

· City of Norton

· City of Roanoke

· Stafford County

The following localities received portions of $242,000 in funding to develop and implement local Safe Routes to Schools programs. The programs can include safety education, outreach, participation encouragement and crossing guard training.

· City of Alexandria

· Town of Colonial Beach

· City of Colonial Heights

· City of Lexington

· City of Norton

· City of Roanoke

· Stafford County

· Town of Vienna

CapTech Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, also received funding for statewide outreach and promotion and the development of a bike safety and active lifestyles publication for the Safe Routes to Schools program.

For a detailed list of grant awards, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/news/resources/SRTS_allocations_1007.pdf. For more information on the Safe Routes to Schools program, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/ted_Rt2_school_pro.asp

Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility. Virginia’s highway safety partnership—the Virginia Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles and State Police—challenges you to help put the brakes on 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.


TRAFFIC ALERT FOR WEEK OF October 22-26, 2007

Highway work zones in the Staunton District



The following is a list of highway work that might affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. The Staunton district is comprised of 11 counties, Alleghany, Bath , Rockbridge, Augusta, Highland , Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren and Clarke. Work scheduled is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. Also, when traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

AUGUSTA COUNTY

Interstate 64

* (NEW) Mile marker 93 to mile marker 95 – Alternating lane and shoulder closures at the underpass on Route 834 (Hickory Hill) and over railroads at mile marker 95 due to cleaning and painting bridge 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday with flagger traffic control.



Interstate 81

* Mile marker 205 to 237 – Debris pickup Wednesday, Oct. 24. Bridge sweeping with left lane closure Monday through Friday.

* (NEW) Mile marker 214 to mile marker 218 – Paving with left lane closures southbound from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and right lane closures from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* Various Locations – Alternating lane and shoulder closures north and south for guardrail replacement from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. with flagger traffic control Sunday to Sunday.

* Various Bridges – Bridge deck maintenance north and south one lane closure Monday night through Friday morning from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.



Primary Roads

* Route 11 – Debris pickup from Staunton City limits to Route 647 on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

* Route 250 – Minor delays due to trucks entering from Route 636 between Route 637 and Route 358 and from Route 1390 (Westminster Drive) between Route 608 and Route 1360 Monday through Friday.

* Route 256 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 262 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 262 – Debris pickup from Interstate 81 to Route 11 on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

* Route 285 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 285 – Debris pickup from Interstate 64 to Route 250 on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

* Route 340 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 340 (Rosser Avenue) – Trucks entering from work site from Route 608 to Route 1501 for paving on Rose Avenue with flagger traffic control during daylight hours Monday through Friday.



Secondary Roads

* Route 608 – Debris pickup from Route 340 to I-64 Wednesday, Oct. 24.

* (NEW) Route 609 – Tree trimming from Route 608 to Route 651 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Route 612 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 616 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* (NEW) Route 620 – Tree trimming from Route 11 to Route 252 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Route 620 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 631 – Tree trimming from Route 608 to Route 664 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Route 635 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* (NEW) Route 636 – Tree trimming from Route 285 to Route 250 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Route 637 – Tree trimming from Route 608 to Route 250 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Route 637 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 647 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 647 – Debris pickup from Route 11 to Route 648 Wednesday, Oct. 24.

* Route 648 – Debris pickup from Route 647 to Route 608 Wednesday, Oct. 24.

* (NEW) Route 652 – Tree trimming from Route 608 to the end of state maintenance Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Route 654 – Tree trimming from Route 340 to Route 11 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Route 654 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* (NEW) Route 657 – Tree trimming from Route 340 to Route 1205 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Route 664 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 671 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* (NEW) Route 675 – Tree trimming from Route 11 to Route 693 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Route 742 – Brush cutting west of Route 11 Monday through Friday with one lane road using flagger traffic control.

* Route 742 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 750 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 775 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 775 – Ditching between Route 608 and Route 865 Monday through Wednesday with one lane road using flagger traffic control.

* (NEW) Route 781 – Brush cutting west of Route 11 Monday through Friday with one lane road using flagger traffic control.

* Route 781 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Route 782 – Grading and drainage work with alternating lane closures from Route 612 to Route 617 with flagger traffic control Sunday through Saturday.

* Route 785 – Grading and drainage work with alternating lane closures from Route 756 to Route 761 using flagger traffic control through Friday, Nov. 2, 2007.

* Route 811 – Road closed for box culvert installation at the south intersection of Route 811 and Route 42 beginning Monday, Oct. 15, 2007 through Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. Detour: Take the northern intersection of Route 811 and Route 42. Signs will be posted.

* Route 816 – Ditching south of Route 742 Thursday and Friday with one lane closure using flagger traffic control.

* (NEW) Route 817 – Tree trimming from Route 701 to Route 613 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Route 834 – Alternating lane and shoulder closures due to cleaning and painting of bridge with flagger traffic control Sunday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

* Route 994 – Bridge sweeping over I-81/I-64 in the Verona and Fishersville area.

* Various Roads – Patching, mowing, shoulder repairs, scraping dirt roads.