Stimulus funds come through for bridge work

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

Two bridges carrying motorists across Bear Creek on Route 617, or Flowing Springs Road, and Route 622, or Bear Creek Road, are among the five in Smyth County set for repairs paid for with stimulus dollars.
The five are among 119 statewide to be repaired with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Gov. Timothy Kaine said last week.
In addition to the Bear Creek bridges, the others on the list are Route 601, Flat Ridge Road, over Cressy Creek; Route 621, Lick Creek Road, over Lick Creek; and Route 654, Sugar Street, over Jerry’s Creek.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has awarded seven construction contracts to replace 119 structurally deficient bridges across the state that would otherwise have gone unaddressed. The awarded contracts, totaling $50.7 million, are part of the commonwealth’s continued efforts to invest $694.5 million in highway funding from the ARRA, the governor’s office said.
“I am very pleased that the President and Congress recognize the value of infrastructure investment and included it in the ARRA. These bridge replacements and repairs will address a significant safety issue in our transportation network and put Virginians back to work,” said Kaine. “While Virginia is consistently named one of the best states for business, we must maintain our infrastructure to stay economically competitive and keep our citizens safe. No state or nation can grow out of a recession with a crumbling infrastructure, and am I very happy that these funds will provide immediate jobs and economic stimulus, as well as long-term dividends for the commonwealth.”
“Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, Virginia will be able to replace more than 100 structurally deficient bridges,” said Virginia Department of Transportation Commissioner David Ekern. “These funds have helped Virginia continue to make strategic investments during a time of declining state revenues.”
According to Steve Buston, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Abingdon residency administrator, the state keeps a close eye on its bridges through annual inspection of the bridges on interstates and other primary roads. Back-road bridges are inspected every two years.
Virginia’s bridges are generally a bit newer and in slightly better shape than the national average, a Richmond Times-Dispatch review of highway records showed. Federal highway officials rate fewer than one in 10 of Virginia’s bridges as being in poor shape.
Significant bridge work has been done in Smyth over the last three years. Two bridges over Interstate 81 at Marion and Adwolfe were rehabilitated and several rural bridges have been repaired.
At Chilhowie, work continues on the Highway 11 bridge over the railroad. The bridge is being elevated to allow trains carrying shipping containers greater clearance. That work should be done by July 2010, VDOT said.
Nearer completion is the Route 622 or Nick’s Creek Road bridge widening, set to open Dec. 1.  The closed bridge is sending motorists around the project on Kelly Hill Road, Pierce Road, Old Prater Road and Route 16. 
According to Buston, 80,000 pounds is the legal limit for the weight of a vehicle crossing a bridge. Deterioration of bridges prompts officials to lighten their loads until they can be repaired. Signs showing reduced weight-bearing capacity at bridge approaches show motorists the structures are awaiting repairs to restore them to their full legal load limit.