VDOT News - Statewide

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – At its March meeting this week, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) took action on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project. The CTB endorsed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Finding of Public Interest for the HRBT Expansion, authorized execution of the Project Agreement for Funding and Administration (PAFA), and approved state funding for replacement of the southern bridge trestles. 

The HRBT Expansion is a generational project for the Hampton Roads region and the Commonwealth of Virginia that will enhance mobility, improve emergency evacuation capabilities, reduce congestion, and increase travel time reliability. 

“We took critical steps this week to advance the HRBT Expansion,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “The collaboration among the CTB, VDOT, and HRTAC is the foundation for delivering the largest transportation project in Virginia’s history.” 

As the procurement process is being finalized, an independent audit of the process and reassessment of associated risks was conducted. VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich reported the findings to the CTB, including his certification that the project satisfies all critical components considered for a Finding of Public Interest, including: project costs, assuring that the cost distribution is within industry norms, and that risk management guidelines were followed. 

“The HRBT Expansion project is vital to unlocking travel challenges in the Hampton Roads region and beyond,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich. “This week’s forward momentum in the procurement process further unites the team’s commitment to partnership and drives the project closer to construction.” 

The CTB also approved a finance plan for replacement of the southern trestles as part of the scope of the HRBT Expansion project. The South Island bridge work addresses aging infrastructure through the replacement of the 6,000-foot trestles supporting the bridge using modern, corrosion-resistant materials that will give the new structure a 100-year service life.  

As announced on February 15, Hampton Roads Connector Partners was selected as the design-build team to deliver the project with a fixed contract price of $3.3 billion and project completion date of November 1, 2025. The contract is expected to be executed in April.  

The CTB also approved $3.6 million in Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) state funding for mitigation support to Northern Virginia public transportation agencies during a suspension of service at six Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail stations in the Commonwealth this summer for critical capital repairs. The stations will be closed for platform rehabilitation to improve the safety and reliability of Metrorail service. Nearly 17,000 peak hour Metrorail customers who utilize the six Yellow and Blue Line stations south of Reagan National Airport are expected to be impacted. This plan is intended to supplement the mitigation plan that was developed by a 140-member Northern Virginia Stakeholder Group led by WMATA and supported by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), and includes supplemental services during the three-month closure. 

In this month’s meeting, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) also approved 11 VDOT contracts totaling $144.6 million. 

A $59.6 million design-build contract was awarded to Wagman Heavy Civil, Inc. of York, Pa. to construct a new interchange at Route 7 (East Market Street) and Battlefield Parkway in VDOT’s Northern Virginia District. The project will also modify the intersection of Route 7 and Cardinal Park Drive. The project, expected to be complete in spring 2022, will relieve congestion, improve safety and enhance mobility for cyclists and pedestrians along the corridor. 

A $29 million design-build contract was awarded to Orders Construction Company of St. Albans, West Virginia to replace two Smyth County bridges that carry Interstate 81 north and south over Route 11 (Lee Highway), the Middle Fork of the Holston River and the adjacent railroad in VDOT’s Bristol District. Completion is expected in spring 2022. 

A $7.4 million contract was awarded to Brayman Construction Corporation of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. to replace the bridge that carries Route 122 (Moneta Road) over Goose Creek in Bedford County, part of VDOT’s Salem District. Completion is expected in summer 2021. 

Additional contracts for paving related activities were awarded as follows: 

Bristol District

• A $6.1 million contract was awarded to Rogers Group, Inc., of Nashville, Tennessee, for paving.
• Two contracts, one for $7.6 million and one for $6.9 million, were awarded to W-L Construction & Paving, Inc., of Chilhowie, for paving. 

Northern Virginia District

• Two contracts, one for $5.4 million and another for $5.7 million, were awarded to Superior Paving Corporation, of Gainesville, for paving. 

Richmond District

• A $5.1 million contract was awarded to Colony Construction, Inc., of Powhatan, for asphalt resurfacing.
• A $5.4 million contract was awarded to Allan Myers VA, Inc., of Glen Allen, for patching and paving.
• A $6.4 million contract was awarded to Allan Myers VA, Inc., of Glen Allen, for asphalt resurfacing. 

Appointed by the Governor, the 17-member CTB establishes the administrative policies for Virginia’s transportation system.  The CTB allocates highway funding to specific projects, locates routes, and provides funding for airports, seaports, and public transportation. 

For more information:

• Final bid results and projects:

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/const/bidresults-list.asp

• CTB meetings, times and locations:

http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/public_meetings/schedule_overview/default.asp

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