In Design
Rockingham County - Route 727 (Airport Road) North River Bridge Replacement Project |
Area Map
Project Photos
Project at a Glance
Spring 2013
Cost
Estimated Cost is $4,495,006
Lengths and Limits
0.42-mile long; From: 0.42-mile west of the intersection with Route 11 To: Intersection with Route 11
Locality
Rockingham
District
Staunton
Contact
Justin Beaver
540-332-7819
Project Details
The project is located on Route 727 (Airport Road) between Route 11 and Route 696, near Mount Crawford and Bridgewater in Rockingham County. The project limits are from 0.42-miles west of the intersection with Route 11 to the intersection with Route 11. Route 727 is approximately 3.1-miles long running west to east connecting Route 42 and Route 11. This road consists of private residences with little commercial or industrial development. Bridgewater Air Park, which is a private airfield, is approximately 0.75-miles west of the project location.
The purpose of this project is to replace a structurally deficient bridge over North River and realign Route 727 (Airport Road). Structurally deficient means that part or all of the structure is in poor condition. This designation does not mean that a structure is in danger of imminent failure, but that its condition has deteriorated to a point where it should be replaced, and/or it can no longer carry today’s heavier truck loads. Structures which flood frequently and cause considerable delays may also be classified as “structurally deficient”
The bridge at this site was built in 1961, and was a single lane, two-span truss structure. This bridge was removed on February 13, 2012. The former bridge was 15-feet wide and 211-feet long. The eastern approach intersected with Route 11. The paved roadway leading up to the western side of the bridge site is approximately 18-feet wide. Approaching the bridge site from the west, there are three substandard curves.
The former bridge will be replaced with a new, two-lane structure in approximately the same location. The proposed bridge will be 40-feet wide and 208-feet long featuring two, 12-foot travel lanes. Of the eight-foot wide shoulders, four-feet will be paved. The road will have a 50-mile-per-hour design speed. This will be achieved by removing three of the substandard curves and realigning Route 727. The hill on the road will have 30 mile-per-hour design speed.
The road currently carries 1,592 vehicles per day. This number is projected to increase to 2,172 vehicles per day by 2035.
There are no existing bicycle or pedestrian accommodations and the road is not part of an identified bike route.
The total estimated cost for this project is $4,495,006 which includes $725,569 for preliminary engineering, $384,908 for right of way and $3,384,529 for construction. The construction contract is anticipated be advertised in fall 2012 with construction beginning in spring 2013.
What’s Next
Design Approval – December 16, 2011
Begin Right of Way Activities – Spring 2012
Construction – Spring 2013
Design plans presented at the Sept. 8, 2011 public hearing have been approved. Advertisement for construction of the new bridge has been advanced from fall 2015 to fall 2012 with actual construction beginning in spring 2013. Completion of the new bridge is scheduled for fall 2013.
A separate contract, valued at $133,068, has been awarded to Lanford Brothers Inc. of Roanoke to remove the existing truss bridge. In January and February crews will be at the bridge site to construct a gravel pad that will support a crane to remove the truss structure. During this period the bridge deck and the entire existing bridge structure will be removed. Guardrail will be placed prior to the truss bridge removal to prevent access and ensuring the safety of the traveling public.
During the spring of 2012 right of way work will begin and will conclude by September 2012.
Media and Public Events
Thursday, September 8, 2011, 4 – 7 p.m.
Design Public Hearing
Lecture Room
Turner Ashby High School
800 North Main Street
Bridgewater, VA 22812
Benefits of Project
Transportation in the area will be maintained and be safer by replacing the bridge that can support modern weight vehicles. Failure to replace the bridge will cause the structure to be closed and will cause inconvenience to local travelers.
During Construction
During construction the road will be closed and a 6.1-mile detour will be established lasting for approximately nine months.
Traffic Alerts
The bridge over the North River on Route 727 (Airport Road) will remain closed in Rockingham County pending its replacement. This location is between Route 11 (Lee Highway) and Route 696 (Kisers Road) and extends over to Route 42 (Warm Springs Pike) just south of the Town of Bridgewater. The bridge has been closed since Nov. 1 following damage from an overweight vehicle striking the bridge.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is working to accelerate plans to replace the bridge structure and improve portions of Route 727.
Originally scheduled for fall 2015, VDOT engineers are now working to advertise the project for construction in fall 2012 with construction beginning in spring 2013 and concluding in fall 2013. The project design plans are anticipated to be approved in early 2012. Right of way work will take place in spring and summer 2012. Right of way includes property acquisition and utility relocations. Once right of way activities are complete then the project can be advertised for contractor bids.
