Recently Completed
Chincoteague Bridge Replacement-New bridge over Black Narrows and Lewis Creek Channel |
| Accomac |
Area Map
Project Photos
Project at a Glance
December 2006
Est Completion Date
December 2010
Cost
$68.7 million
Contractor
American Bridge
Locality
Accomack
District
Hampton Roads
Contact
Customer Service
800-367-7623
Bridge Dedication Ceremony Photographs
Thank you for joining us Saturday, October 16, as we dedicated the Chincoteague Bridge.
Please use this link to access photographs from the event:
http://picasaweb.google.com/vdotphotos/BridgeDedication
Chincoteague Bridge Dedication Ceremony Program
What's Being Done
A new 3/4-mile (4,035-foot) bridge has been built over Black Narrows and Lewis Creek Channel. The bridge provides motorists with better access to the Town of Chincoteague. A 729-foot connector bridge will be built linking the new bridge to Marsh Island.
The new bridge maintains a single lane of traffic in each direction, divided by a double line.
Features
The project features two new bridges that intersect one another over Black Narrows.
The primary bridge, which is complete and open to vehicular traffic, begins on the west side of Black Narrows at Route 175 and spans north to connect with Maddox Boulevard in Chincoteague at the Main Street intersection. The portion of the new span that crosses over Lewis Creek Channel is a drawbridge.
Motorists will be able to access Marsh Island from the new bridge by using a second bridge called the Marsh Island Connector. The Marsh Island Connector will exit onto Marsh Island at the same location as the existing Black Narrows Bridge.
The new bridges will maintain a single lane of traffic in each direction, divided by a double line. The existing Black Narrows and Chincoteague Channel bridges will be demolished following construction.
Benefits
- Reduces traffic congestion in downtown Chincoteague
- Allows boats better channel access
- Reduces the number of necessary bridge openings
- Increases safety by providing wider lanes and shoulders
- Improves industrial access by allowing VDOT to consider permits for overweight loads
Why is this road being built?
The two existing bridges replaced by this project were built in 1939 and 1940. While they remain safe, their age has led to a certain degree of deterioration and subsequently, costly repairs. Additionally, the bridges are narrower than current standards dictate.
Why was this project design chosen over alternatives?
- The connection to Main Street at Maddox Boulevard facilitates direct access to and from the largest commercial area on Chincoteague Island. It also services most of the traffic going to and from Assateague Island
- Downtown traffic congestion will decrease in the vicinity of the existing Route 175 intersection at Main Street in the vicinity of the fire station
- The drawbridge on this alignment is the shortest among all alignments that were studied
- The new drawbridge will require fewer bridge openings due to its northern location
- It improves maintenance of traffic and minimizes disruption of traffic during construction
- The Chincoteague Town Council and the Accomack County Board of Supervisors each adopted a resolution supporting the Maddox Boulevard Alignment
Project Updates
Upon completion of the the Marsh Island Connector, which is currently under construction, the former Black Narrows and Chincoteague Channel bridges will be demolished.
The current anticipated project completion is slated for Winter 2010.
