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This SectionDeep Creek AIWW Bridge Replacement Project
Project Status (updated Oct. 10, 2019)
Read the latest Media Advisory (Oct. 9, 2019) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the Deep Creek AIWW Bridge Replacement Project by clicking here.
Representatives from the USACOE delivered a project update to the members of City Council during their work session on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The 22-minute update covers the current status of real estate acquisition, as well as the planned timeline for the project, contingent upon the acquisition process. View the USACOE presentation by clicking here.
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.
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.
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