Deep Creek AIWW Bridge Replacement Project

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Media Update (Aug. 9, 2019)

The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided a project update via a press release on Aug. 9, 2019. Read the release on the USACOE website by clicking here. links to external site

Project Status (updated Aug. 1, 2019)

Design of the new bridge is 100 percent complete. Funding will come via a contributed funds agreement between the USACOE and the City of Chesapeake. The mix of funds includes $20 million via the VDOT Smart Scale Program (the City will front these funds then be reimbursed by VDOT), and $22 million via USACOE Construction Funds.

The project was originally scheduled for advertisement in June 2019. However, the revised schedule calls for construction advertisement in January 2020. This delay is associated with real estate acquisition and utility relocations. The USACOE is actively working with impacted property owners and franchise utility companies in this regard. City staff s also coordinating with USACOE to schedule a work session in the near future to provide City Council with a full project briefing.

Upcoming Public Meetings

Joint Industry Day
Aug. 29, 2019, 9 a.m. - noon
VDOT Hampton Roads District Office
7511 Burbage Drive, Suffolk VA 23435

USACOE, VDOT and City of Chesapeake are hosting a joint Industry Day for the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project on Aug. 29, 2019. It’s scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon in VDOT’s Hampton Roads District Office at 7511 Burbage Drive in Suffolk. The special event is aimed at promoting interest within the small business community and familiarizing companies with project requirements so they can potentially qualify as subcontractors.Industry Day is open to companies and firms of all sizes and certifications interested in the project, said Cherie Kunze, Norfolk District’s deputy for Small Business Programs and a lead organizer. For more information, email to cherie.a.kunze@usace.army.mil or call (757) 201-7077. Click here to register online.

Background

Built in 1934, AIWW Deep Creek Bridge is a federally owned and operated two-lane bridge that crosses the Dismal Swamp Canal at U.S. Route 17 Business.

In October 1996, the approved initial appraisal concluded the bridge is functionally obsolete because of increasing traffic volumes, too narrow of a roadway and poor alignment with the connecting roads.

Replacing the bridge will improve traffic flow, meet Virginia Department of Transportation and City of Chesapeake requirements, and comes at a time in which road improvements are being made to either side of the bridge. The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to replace the Deep Creek Bridge with a five-lane roadway located 100 feet south of the existing bridge. Once construction is completed, the AIWW Deep Creek Bridge will be operated, maintained, and owned by the City of Chesapeake.

Replacement Project Scope

The project, conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will replace the federally-owned Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) Deep Creek Bridge; a functionally obsolete two-lane split leaf bascule bridge; with a 144-foot long, 60-foot wide five-lane drawbridge. The project includes improvements to the approaching roadways.

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Authorization

The U.S. House of Representatives authorized the replacement of the AIWW Deep Creek Bridge as part of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. WRDA is a bill dedicated to authorizing the activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Cost

Approximately $50 million

Maintenance of Traffic Sequence of Construction

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Traffic Flow Improvement

FAQs

Will the bridge be tolled?
No.

Will vehicles still be able to use the bridge during construction?
Yes! The new south span of the bridge will be built first while the current bridge is still in use. Once the south span is completed, traffic will be diverted to that span, the old bridge will be demolished, and the north span will be constructed in its place.

More information/Updates

Project updates will be posted on this webpage, and on the Active Transportation and Streets Projects page. Traffic impacts due to construction will be listed on the Chesapeake Travel Advisories Calendar, and broadcast via Twitter at @ChesapeakeRoads. For additional information about the Deep Creek AIW Bridge Replacement project, visit the USACE project website.