Tides Mill Bridge expected to reopen on time
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- Published on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 10:45
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After what may have seemed like a lifetime to commuters, the Tides Mill Bridge on State Route 205 is finally nearing the end of construction.
It may not look like it, but the bridge will soon be reopened, according to VDOT Northern Neck Residency Administrator Dave Brown.
The 3.7 million dollar rehabilitation involved engineers removing the beams, decking, and railing, then reconstructing the substructure. The new surface will be 30 feet wide, as opposed to the old bridge which measured 22 feet.
Travel lanes on the new bridge will be 12 feet wide, leaving three feet of shoulder on each side.
VDOT originally promised that any construction not finished within the projected four-month closing would be shoulder work and would not hinder the re-opening of the bridge to thru traffic.
The bridge was originally scheduled to reopen March 1, and Dave Brown says that the work is right on schedule. He reported to Town Manager Val Foulds on Tuesday, however, that the bridge will be open in early March. Brown said he was being conservative, in case of inclement weather that may delay the project’s completion.
The project was originally delayed by one day due to Hurricane Sandy, but officials stated that the delayed start would not impact the March 1 completion date.
The detour will continue to be designated as Route 631 (Longfield Road) until the bridge project is complete.
For up to date information on the Tides Mill Bridge project go to
www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/fredericksburg/route_205_ridge_road_bridge_rehabilitation.asp
Linda Farneth
