Deep Creek AIWW Bridge Replacement Project

 

Project Update -- September 2021

Fiscal Year 2021 Work Plan Funding was approved on Jan. 19, 2021 in the amount of $12.6 million, allowing USACE to move forward with construction of the project. USACE expects to advertise for construction bids in October 2021.

Updated Estimated Project Timeline (as of May 2021)

• Advertise for construction:    October 2021
• Completion of real estate acquisition:  February 2022
• Completion of utility relocations:  March 2022
• Award of construction contract:  March 2022
• Begin construction:    April 2022
• Construction completion: April 2025

NOTE: Project timeline is an estimate that is dependent upon government acquisition of real property interests and on the relocation of utilities in the project area.
 

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 $57.6 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.