Under Construction

Project Details

This project will build a new bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad on Route 340 in Page County. The location is between 3.48 miles to 2.50 miles south Page/Warren County Line. The existing bridge is functionally obsolete, which means it cannot accommodate modern traffic and the full weight of heavier modern vehicles. The new bridge will have two 12-foot lanes and paved shoulders.

The Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge project and the Compton Creek Bridge project combine to create a 2.12-mile project along Route 340 to replace two deteriorating bridges and improve the alignment, grade and width of the approaches.  Route 340 consists of two 11-foot lanes with very minimal graded shoulders. The alignment and grade of the existing road are substandard in many locations. The first bridge in the project crosses over Norfolk Southern Railroad and was built in 1936.  The second bridge crosses over Compton Creek and was also built in 1936. Both bridges are showing signs of deterioration and are functionally obsolete.

These projects will replace Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge with a 150-foot long bridge and the Compton Creek Bridge with a 573.5-foot long bridge. The bridges will have a width of 44 feet, which provides for two 12-foot lanes and 10-foot shoulders. The roadway improvements on Route 340 will provide for two 12-foot lanes with four-foot paved shoulders and 10-foot graded shoulders. In locations where guardrail is installed, the paved shoulders will extend to 10 feet. The roadway alignment and grade will meet all current standards for a 60 mile-per-hour design speed, although the posted speed will be 55 miles-per-hour.

In 2009 the average daily traffic for this location was 4,900 vehicles per day. This number is expected to increase to 6,800 vehicles per day in 2032.

The total estimated cost for this project presented at the public hearing was $24.7 million, which includes $2.2 million for preliminary engineering, $1.5 million for right of way and $21 million for construction.

Benefits of Project

This project provides a safer bridge structure that can support the weight of modern day traffic. It will have wide shoulders for emergency pull-off, which enhances the safety for drivers. Lanes will be wider, making for safer travel for vehicles in opposing directions.

Media and Public Events

Citizen Information Meeting
July 27, 1999, 4:00 p.m. to 7p.m.
Virginia Department of Transportation
Luray Residency office
551 Mechanic Street
Luray, Va.

Citizen Information Meeting
December 8, 1999, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Virginia Department of Transportation
Luray Residency office
551 Mechanic Street
Luray, Va.

Public Hearing  
May 22, 2002, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Luray High School
14 Luray Avenue
Luray, Va.

During Construction

No road closures are anticipated but motorists should be alert for work zones and flagging operations.

Traffic Alerts

There will be a detour onto a temporary side road on Route 340 at the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge project in Page County.  This detour will begin on Oct. 17, 2011 at 7 a.m. and last until Oct. 19, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., 24-hours-a-day. There will be 24-hour-a-day flagger traffic control at this detour location.

Traffic will leave and return to Route 340 using the temporary detour, which is located on the east side of Route 340.  The detour route has a crushed stone surface and motorists should use extreme caution when traveling through this area.  All signs in the area should be obeyed.  

All work is weather permitting.  The detour will be in place while crews install a 72-inch cross drain pipe under Route 340.

Page last modified: Oct. 13, 2011

 

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