If you’ve driven past the new Interstate 295 to Interstate 64 flyover ramp and thought it looked as if it had been completed, but for some reason not yet open, you’d be right. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has a small punchlist of things to go over with the project developer, English Construction, before the new structure is open to traffic.
After many of our readers inquired to us about the status of the bridge, we spoke with VDOT Spokeswoman Dawn Eischen about the status of the flyover ramp to get the facts.
“We have been getting frequent inquiries about the status of the flyover bridge, particularly since the bridge ‘looks’ finished,” Eischen said. “After thorough inspections, we discovered a few areas that were not up to our specifications and could potentially cause the bridge to wear improperly, resulting in costly repairs years from now. To ensure both VDOT and the public get what we paid for and the bridge lasts for years to come, it’s critical we make sure every detail in the contract is completed according to our specifications.”
While VDOT adknowledges the public is anxious to have the new ramp available for use due to heavy traffic and the headaches the construction has caused, they would obviously rather ensure the safety and longevity of the bridge. “This bridge is expected to carry thousands of drivers per day over the next 75 years,” Eischen said. “VDOT will not compromise long term durability in an effort to get the bridge open sooner.”
Eischen also said English Construction will be making the final repairs to the flyover this coming weekend, and VDOT plans to release an opening date for the project to the public next week. Once the bridge is opened to traffic, crews will begin dismantling the rest of the old bridge and ramp over Interstate 64 that the flyover is effectively replacing.
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