I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations: Project Overview Steven McNeely, Project Manager Project Management Office Richmond District

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 2 What I’ll Cover Today What’s happening? Why? Where and when? What are we doing to help you? What can you do to help? What else can we do?

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 3 What’s Happening? VDOT is rehabilitating 11 bridges on I-95 to maintain safe and smooth travel through Richmond for all drivers This is also the area of highway where I-64 merges with I-95 Aging bridges will be rehabilitated between Lombardy St (near Exit 76B) and Upham Brook (near Route 301 / Exit 82) Construction begins summer 2010 and is estimated to last 4.5 years Lane closures will be limited to overnight and occasional weekends One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times for drivers, plus one lane for emergency vehicles during most phases Result: Extends the lifespan of safe travel on I-95 corridor for at least another 5 decades Incorporates technical and material improvements for extended structure life Creates safer, smoother and more reliable travel through Richmond

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 4 What’s Happening: History $120 million project funded by federal (80%) and state (20%) dollars Original contract initiated in 1997 First phase (James River Bridge) was completed in 2002 Remaining project advertised to construction contractors March 2010 Construction estimated to begin Summer 2010

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 5 What’s Happening: Cutting Old Slab

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 6 What’s Happening: Removing Old Slab

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 7 What’s Happening: Preparing Bearing Seats

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 8 What’s Happening: Lifting New Section

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 9 What’s Happening: Setting New Section

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 10 What’s Happening: Matching & Epoxying Slab

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 11 What’s Happening: Accomplishments to Date Public briefings –Citizens Information Meeting (December 2008) –Willingness to hold public hearing (December 2008) –Business and government briefings (Summer 2009) Environmental permits secured Roadway and bridge plans completed – URS Maintenance of Traffic / Traffic Management Plan completed - Wilbur Smith Constructability review completed – Alpha Communications plan completed – VDOT / Siddall

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 12 What’s Happening: Project Cost Project Estimate Preliminary Engineering:$ 7,160,000 Right of Way: $ 240,000 Construction: $112,600,000 Total: $120,000,000 Project is fully funded

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 13 Why? The rehabilitation of this intersection of I-95 and I-64 in Richmond is vital to travel and commerce through Virginia –I-95 / I-64 through Richmond is dependent on the function of its bridges and overpasses Construction and maintenance records indicate these 50-year-old spans need rehabilitation to ensure safe and continued travel across the region –Opportunity to apply new technology and materials –This saves maintenance time and money in the long-term Based on the success of the James River Bridge project, the overnight construction schedule will be used for a timely, cost efficient and less disruptive project

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 14 Where? 1.Upham Brook creek 2.Laburnum Ave 3.Westwood Ave 4.I-95 south ramp to Boulevard 5.Boulevard 6.Hermitage Road 7.Robin Hood Road 8.Sherwood Ave 9.Overbrook Road 10 / 11. Lombardy Street and CSX Bridge 12. Broad Street (COMPLETED 2002) 13. James River Bridge (COMPLETED 2002)

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 15 When? Phased construction across 4.5 years to reduce interruption and gain efficiency throughout project –Phase I: Roadway and Substructure repairs –Phase II: Prepare MOT for Bridge work –Phase III: Lombardy/CSX Bridge –Phase IV: Laburnum and Westwood Bridges –Phase V: Hermitage, The Blvd and Ramp A Bridges –Phase VI: Overbrook, Sherwood, and Robin Hood Bridges –Phase VII: Upham Brook (north and south) Exact dates to be announced Summer 2010

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 16 What are we doing to help you? 1.VDOT is limiting travel interruption 2.VDOT is keeping you informed 3.VDOT is keeping you safe 4.VDOT is listening

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 17 #1 - Limiting Travel Interruption Maintaining one lane of travel in each direction at all times Providing emergency lane during lane closures during most phases Restricting lane closures to OVERNIGHT during the week: –8:00 PM to 6:00 AM on designated weeknights Additional lane closures limited to weekends, only when needed: –8:00 PM Fri to 6:00 AM Monday Schedules are flexible to avoid major events, holidays or inclement weather Despite best efforts, there will inevitably be delays and back-ups

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 18 #1 - Limiting Travel Interruption Typical Maintenance of Travel

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 19 #1 - Limiting Travel Interruption Zipper machine moves barriers into place for quick lane adjustments

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 20 #1 - Limiting Travel Interruption Shifting traffic to one side of the interstate

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 21 #2 - Keeping You Informed Communications Plan in place to inform those affected: –Residents and travelers –Local business and schools –Travel, tourism and transportation partners –Government officials –Media and press –Public safety community

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 22 #2- Keeping You Informed: Active Outreach Community and stakeholder briefings –Face-to-face opportunities to learn and get your questions answered Project update newsletter –A weekly update in your inbox News coverage –Project news and regular traffic updates distributed through our news partners Web site / Online –A one-stop shop for project news and updates, plus a place to register for more information Signage and Advisories –Detour and directional announcements via variable message signs, TV, radio and web –Supplemental paid media to guarantee visibility of project news and announcements

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 23 #2 - Keeping You Informed: Personal Tools VDOT provides several options for you to stay informed and receive updates: Calling 511 Register for alerts or create a personalized dashboard at 511Virgina.org on Twitter Visit project web page on VirginiaDOT.org Sign-up for weekly alerts (at VirginiaDOT.org)

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 24

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 25 #2 - Keeping You Informed: Optimization We will be tracking communications’ effectiveness to optimize program across project lifespan –Resident satisfaction tracking survey –Stakeholder satisfaction interviews –Media tracking and analysis GOAL: Get you the information you need in the most effective and cost efficient manner possible, so that your travel is as safe and as easy as possible

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 26 #3 - Keeping You Safe Committed to maintaining a safe work zone for everyone –Reduced speed limits in work zone during construction –Increased fines for speed violations in work zone –Maintaining emergency lane during most phases –Keeping traffic volume down through detours –Promoting a driver distraction-free work zone –Advance coordination with emergency personnel and first responders to clear incidents quickly Including work zone safety as part of communications program Enlisting your help in promoting a safety as a priority

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 27 What Can You Do To Help? Stay informed –Attend public meetings –Sign up for news and alerts ( newsletter, 511 or Twitter) Drive smart and safe –Schedule travel around lane closures when possible –Use alternate routes or detours during construction –If you must travel through construction: slow down, be patient and stay alert Encourage others to do the same –Tell friends, family and coworkers about project and ways to stay updated –Remind others to try alternate routes, alternate travel times and to be safe Provide feedback

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 28 What else can we do? We want to hear your questions, concerns and thoughts now and throughout the project We will do our best to respond in a timely manner and with accurate information We won’t be able to accommodate all requests, but value your feedback so that we can improve our service to the best of our ability. VDOT Public Affairs

I-95 Bridge Rehabilitations, VDOT Proj # , 29 Thank You