Deep Creek AIWW Bridge Replacement Project

11-28-23 UPDATE

11-27-23 UPDATE

11-9-23 UPDATE

11-9-23 UPDATE: The following lane closures/shifts will begin November 13 at 7 p.m.:

Moses Grandy Trl thru lane closure on the west side of the bridge. Thru lane and left turn lane will be combined.
George Washington Hwy N southbound thru lane and right turn lane closure at Old Mill Rd (near 7-Eleven.)
Old Mill Rd westbound right turn lane closure from George Washington Hwy N to south entrance of 7-Eleven parking lot. South access to 7-Eleven will be closed.
Old Mill Rd one-lane traffic each direction between Westonia Rd and George Washington Hwy N.

Traffic will be maintained in all directions and turns permitted from open lanes. Please obey posted traffic control and exercise caution. Expect travel delays. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in March 2024.

Construction will continue to require lane closures and traffic shifts throughout the duration of the project and while traffic engineering staff will continue to monitor traffic signals and flow in the area, traffic signal adjustments can only provide minimal congestion relief in these circumstances. For more information on the project, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or call 757-382-CITY (757-382-2489).

11-3-23 UPDATE

10-31-23 UPDATE

10-31-23 UPDATE: Travel Advisory changes, week of October 30: Weather permitting, the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) contractor will perform a lane closure on Old Mill Road from George Washington Highway North to Westonia Road overnight on 11/1 from 11:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. Flaggers will direct traffic. The contractor will also close the westbound lane on Moses Grandy Trail, between 2708 Moses Grandy Trl and Hinton Ave, 11/1 from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. and overnight on 11/2 from 7:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. Flaggers will direct traffic. All work is related to the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project. Please follow all posted signage in the area.

CANCELED TRAVEL ADVISORY: The northbound and southbound inside left lane closure, near the median area on Mill Creek Pkwy, beginning at the intersection of Mill Creek Pkwy and Old Mill Rd, previously scheduled overnight on 11/1 from 7 p.m.-5 a.m. has been canceled. This work will be rescheduled for a later date.

10-30-23 UPDATE

10-30-23 UPDATE: Weather permitting, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (ACOE) contractor will close both the northbound and southbound inside left lane, near the median area on Mill Creek Pkwy, beginning at the intersection of Mill Creek Pkwy and Old Mill Rd, overnight on 11/1 from 7:00 p.m-5:00 a.m. Overnight work may continue 11/2 if necessary. The contractor will also be closing the Westbound lane on Moses Grandy Trl, between 2708 Moses Grandy Trl and Hinton Ave, overnight on 11/2 from 7:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. Flaggers will direct traffic. All work is related to the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project. Please follow all posted signage in the area.

We understand the closures and modified traffic patterns associated with the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement are contributing to major traffic backups in the area, as well as commuter frustration, but the closures are an unavoidable part of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE’s) project. We are working closely with the ACOE to make sure the closures are done in a phased and efficient manner. The ACOE and the City of Chesapeake will continue to make you aware of lane closures and traffic shifts as they are planned by the ACOE’s contractor for this project. To receive lane closure information directly to your phone, text DCBRIDGE to 888777 or visit https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/AIWW-Deep-Creek-Bridge/. The City of Chesapeake will continue to support the ACOE and their contractor throughout the duration of the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project and will communicate suggestions and concerns received by motorists.

10-18-23 UPDATE

10-18-23 UPDATE: Weather permitting, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (ACOE) contractor will close the dedicated right turn lane from Moses Grandy Trl Westbound onto George Washington Hwy North on 10/20 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Utilizing the thru traffic lane, motorists can make a right turn from Moses Grandy onto George Washington Hwy N. The contractor will also be closing both the northbound left turn lane and southbound left lane, near the median area on Mill Creek Pkwy, beginning at the intersection of Mill Creek Pkwy and Old Mill Rd, on 10/23-10/24 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Utilizing the thru traffic lane, motorists can make a left turn from Mill Creek Pkwy onto Old Mill Rd. All work is related to the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project. Please follow all posted signage in the area.

09-15-23 UPDATE

09-15-23 UPDATE: Beginning Tuesday, September 19, weather permitting, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ contractor will close the northbound right turn only lane on Mill Creek Pkwy as well as the existing shoulder walkway along the west side of the Deep Creek Bridge, for continued work on the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project. Utilizing the thru traffic lane, motorists will still have the ability to make a right turn from Mill Creek Pkwy to cross the bridge onto Moses Grandy Trl. Please follow all posted signage in the area.

How can I receive traffic alerts?

Text "DCBridge" to 888777 to receive traffic alerts and project milestones.

Will the bridge be tolled?

No.

What is this project?

The project, conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (USACE) 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.

Who oversees this project?

This project is an USACE project and the contractor performing the bridge replacement is contracted with the USACE. Please visit the USACE’s project page for more information. AIWW Deep Creek Bridge (army.mil)

What is the City’s responsibility in this project?

The City of Chesapeake will be in a supporting role to the USACE throughout the duration of the project. As the phases of the project continue, the City will continue to monitor traffic volume and traffic signals in the area and will make adjustments if needed. In addition, the City will report lane closures/lane shifts during construction to the public throughout the duration of the project and will communicate questions and concerns received by residents to the USACE and the USACE’s contractor.

When did construction begin and when is it expected to be completed?

Construction began in Fall 2023 and the expected completion date is Fall 2026.

Why are there so many lane closures and traffic shifts?

We understand the closures and modified traffic patterns associated with the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement are contributing to major traffic backups in the area, as well as commuter frustration, but the closures are an unavoidable part of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE’s) project. In addition to replacing the existing bridge structure, there are also improvements being made to the surrounding intersections. All of this work will require various lane closures and traffic shifts to allow room for work and for the safety of those working. In addition, subsequent phases of the project will involve further restrictions in the area that will continue to impact traffic.

How can I find out about future lane closures and traffic shifts?

The USACE and the City of Chesapeake will continue to make you aware of lane closures and traffic shifts as they are planned by the USACE’s contractor for this project. To receive lane closure information directly to your phone, text DCBRIDGE to 888777 or visit https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/AIWW-Deep-Creek-Bridge/.

Why can’t you lift tolls on the Dominion Boulevard Veterans Bridge?

Tolls on the Veterans Bridge go towards repayment of the bonds that were used to fund construction of the bridge and there are strict guidelines around when the tolls can and cannot be lifted. The bond indenture does not allow us to lift tolls in this situation.

Updated Estimated Project Timeline (as of May 2023)

Begin construction: Fall 2023
Construction completion: Fall 2026

Note: This project schedule is tentative and subject to change due to the real estate acquisition process, construction bidding process, unforeseen delays in utility relocations and other factors. The schedule will be updated routinely on the City website.

Background

Built in 1934, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (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 (WRDA) of 2007. WRDA is a bill dedicated to authorizing the activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.