FAQs • Chesapeake, VA • CivicEngage

How does the added traffic affect public safety’s ability to respond to emergencies?

The Chesapeake Police and Fire Departments are trained to navigate construction zones, detours, peak-hour traffic, and other obstacles as part of the daily challenges they face when responding to any number of calls for service. They use Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) maps which indicate the real-time status and location of all response units. While the map does not show current traffic conditions, the system typically recommends for dispatch the closest resource to an emergency based on predetermined route information. On-duty shift supervisors (Battalion Chiefs, Field Medical Officers, Police Sergeants, and Command Duty Officers) regularly monitor call volume and reroute responders based on time, distance, and priority.
Chesapeake first responders will continue to monitor traffic conditions at the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project and adjust their deployment as needed to continue to provide a responsive service to the Deep Creek community.

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Deep Creek AIWW Bridge Replacement Project

1. How can I receive traffic alerts?: Text "DCBridge" to 888777 to receive traffic alerts and project milestones.

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 US Army Corps of Engineers
Norfolk District Website.

9. 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.

10. Why can’t you change the traffic signals in the surrounding areas?: Traffic Engineering staff are monitoring traffic signals and traffic flow through the project area. We have updated our signal detection at the intersection to allow the signal to better respond to actual traffic demands. However, it should be noted that traffic signal adjustments only provide minimal congestion relief in these circumstances.

11. Why are concrete barriers placed at the construction site, specifically the dedicated turn lane from Moses Grandy Trail to George Washington Hwy N?: The concrete barricades are required to establish appropriate "clear zone” and are put in place by the USACE’s contractor prior to the work beginning. The area behind the barriers will be used as storage for excavated material, and with the narrow dimensions of the area, the work will abut the roadway very closely. Establishing the required clear zone for motorists necessitated placement of the barriers into a small section of the beginning of the turn lane, which then gradually flares back toward the shoulder as the lane continues onto northbound George Washington Highway North. These barricades prevent motorists from driving accidentally into an area where active excavation will take place. Unfortunately, due to the work occurring immediately adjacent to the west end of the bridge, there simply is not enough available shoulder area to set the barricades back further, and therefore they must occupy a section of the turn lane itself. The barriers are expected to remain in place to the end of the year, 2023.

12. 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.

The Chesapeake Police and Fire Departments are trained to navigate construction zones, detours, peak-hour traffic, and other obstacles as part of the daily challenges they face when responding to any number of calls for service. They use Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) maps which indicate the real-time status and location of all response units. While the map does not show current traffic conditions, the system typically recommends for dispatch the closest resource to an emergency based on predetermined route information. On-duty shift supervisors (Battalion Chiefs, Field Medical Officers, Police Sergeants, and Command Duty Officers) regularly monitor call volume and reroute responders based on time, distance, and priority.
Chesapeake first responders will continue to monitor traffic conditions at the Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project and adjust their deployment as needed to continue to provide a responsive service to the Deep Creek community.

The City of Chesapeake has and will continue to maintain consistent communication with the Chesapeake Public Schools Department of Transportation throughout the duration of the project and will collaboratively make necessary accommodations if needed. It has been confirmed that crossing guards are active at the nearby school locations to perform their duties of assisting with school traffic control by directing motorists who are entering and exiting the school property.