Under Construction
Huguenot Bridge Reconstruction |
| Major construction underway |
Project Photos
Project at a Glance
October 2010
Est Completion Date
October 2013
Cost
Approximately $51 million
(includes preliminary engineering, right of way and construction)
Contractor
Tidewater Skanska Inc.
Locality
Henrico and Richmond
District
Richmond
Contact
Ray Johnston, project manager
804-272-1276
Project Updates
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Traffic Camera
Traffic camera: Huguenot Road/River Road intersection, northeast of the Huguenot Bridge (traffic closest to the camera is traveling west toward the Huguenot Bridge)
Traffic Impacts
Through fall 2012 - Southbound traffic will remain in one lane from Three Chopt Road to just south of the Huguenot Bridge; where Huguenot Road widens to two lanes. In addition, Huguenot Road northbound traffic will remain in one lane from just north of the Huguenot Bridge until Huguenot Road widens for the left turn lanes at River Road.
Fall 2012 and spring 2013 - The Riverside Drive ramps on the south end of the Huguenot Bridge were closed in December 2010. The ramps to the west of Huguenot Road will reopen in fall 2012 with the completion of phase one. The Riverside Drive ramps to the east of Huguenot Road will reopen in spring 2013. Directional signs have been placed along the detour routes. The detours will be as follows: Detour map (pdf)
Huguenot Road to Riverside Drive
• Huguenot Road to Old Spring Road
• Right onto Southampton Road
• Back to Riverside Drive
Riverside Drive to Huguenot Road
• Riverside Drive, left onto Southampton Road
• Left onto Cherokee Road
• Back to Huguenot Road
Through spring 2013 - Westham Station Road will remain closed to through traffic between Huguenot Road and Old Bridge Lane as part of the Huguenot Bridge replacement project. Drivers who would normally access Panorama Drive, Highland Road or Old Bridge Road via Westham Station will use River Road as an alternate route.
Through fall 2013: The speed limit between Halesworth Road (south of the bridge) and the River Road/Huguenot Road intersection (north of the bridge) will be reduced from 45 to 35 mph for the duration of the project.
Project Information
FACT SHEET (pdf) - Frequently Asked Questions (January 2012)
News Release (Nov. 23, 2010) - Public Invited to Attend Huguenot Bridge Information Meeting November 30
News Release (Sept. 15, 2010) - Commonwealth Transportation Board Approves $35 Million Contract for Huguenot Bridge Replacement Project
What's Being Done
Project photos on Flickr
The bridge reconstruction project involves replacing the existing structure with a new structure in approximately the same location as the current bridge. The new structure will have one 12 foot lane and one 10 foot shoulder in each direction. The 10 foot shoulder will function as both an emergency lane and a lane to allow bicyclists to safely use the bridge. In addition, there will be a five foot wide sidewalk on each side for pedestrians. The approach roadways on each end will only be improved as necessary to accommodate the bridge replacement.
More images
Why does the bridge need to be reconstructed?
Costly maintenance and repairs, the age and condition of the bridge, and the critical need for widening to allow for emergency vehicles all played a part in the decision to proceed with a reconstruction.
Phases of Construction
The new Huguenot Bridge will be built in two phases. The first phase will involve constructing the western half of the new bridge while traffic is maintained on the existing bridge. During phase two, traffic will be shifted onto the new section of the bridge that was built during phase one. At that time, the existing Huguenot Bridge will be torn down and the second half of the new bridge will be constructed.
VDOT will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction during construction with occasional lane closures during off peak hours.
Background
The Huguenot Memorial Bridge was constructed in 1949. It's considered a major transportation artery over the James River connecting Richmond city limits to the south and Henrico County to the north via Huguenot Road (Route 147). It carries more than 28,000 vehicles per day on average.
The bridge is one lane in each direction with a pedestrian sidewalk and no shoulders.
