RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Dawn Eischen (804) 524-6179 Dawn.Eischen@vdot.virginia.gov

RICH-0817 June 12, 2008

POUNCEY TRACT ROAD BRIDGE WIDENING COMPLETE
I-295 Flyover project in Western Henrico County

HENRICO COUNTY – Motorists along busy Pouncey Tract Road in Short Pump are enjoying more room to travel between Broad Street and Twin Hickory Lake Drive today thanks to the opening of two additional lanes at the bridge over I-64. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) widened the two-lane bridge to four lanes as part of the I-295 flyover project.

Contractor, English Construction Company, Inc of Lynchburg completed the 338 foot long bridge on schedule and within budget. The new bridge has a raised median, sidewalks and aluminum railings on each side. In addition, modifications were made to the first traffic signal north of Broad Street to accommodate the new traffic pattern.

Construction of the remaining phase of the I-295 flyover project is expected to continue through spring 2009. VDOT anticipates the new, two-lane flyover ramp that will carry eastbound I-64 traffic to I-295 south will be completed by fall 2008. Construction of the additional lane on both the east and westbound side of I-64 between Route 288 and Route 250 (Broad St., Exit 178) will be opened to traffic in sections as it’s completed through spring 2009. The $67 million project is currently on schedule.

For more information about the I-295 flyover project including the project schedule and photos of the construction, visit http://www.i295flyover.com.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at http://www.511Virginia.org.

(END)

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 http://www.safeVAhighways.org.