Projects include new Blacksburg interchange, improvements at exit 150 on I-81
At its monthly meeting today, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) awarded 16 contracts worth an approximate total of $173.6 million for major infrastructure work.
The projects will improve mobility, enhance safety and extend the life of the state’s transportation network.
The contracts are for projects that will:
1) Construct a diverging-diamond interchange at the intersection of the U .S. 460 bypass and Southgate Drive (Route 314) in Blacksburg, Va., in the Salem District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
The CTB awarded a contract worth approximately $38.7 million to Branch Highways Inc. of Roanoke, Va., to build a grade-separated diverging-diamond interchange at the intersection of the U.S. 460 bypass and Southgate Drive at the entrance to Virginia Tech. The at-grade T-intersection has the only remaining traffic signal along this limited-access highway.
In addition to constructing the diverging-diamond interchange, the project, known locally as the Southgate Connector, will:
- Widen the right and left shoulders on the bypass within the project limits
- Add entrance and exit ramps at the Southgate Drive interchange
- Relocate and widen Southgate Drive to a four-lane divided highway with a median between the bypass and Duck Pond Drive
- Build two roundabouts with bypass lanes at the proposed Southgate Drive intersections with the relocated Research Center Drive and Duck Pond Drive
The interchange project will include building two new double-span concrete bridges over the U.S. 460 bypass to accommodate future widening. An existing and expanded shared-use path network will serve pedestrians and bicyclists.
The entire project is scheduled for completion in December 2019. More information is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/southgate_connector_-_blacksburg.asp.
2) Improve traffic flow in and around exit 150 on Interstate 81 in Botetourt County in VDOT’s Salem District
The CTB awarded a contract worth approximately $17.9 million to Branch Highways Inc. of Roanoke, Va., to increase safety and reduce congestion at exit 150 on I-81, which includes the intersection of U.S. 11, U.S. 220 and U.S. 220 Alternate. Average daily traffic through the intersection is about 38,000 vehicles.
The project will:
- Relocate entrance ramp to northbound I-81 (from northbound U.S. 220 onto northbound I-81) so it is adjacent to the exit ramp at exit 150B
- Construct a roundabout at the intersection of exit 150B and U.S. 11 to improve traffic flow, enhance safety and increase capacity
- Build a new loop road – Gateway Crossing – to extend from the new U.S. 11 roundabout to U.S. 220 Alternate
- Provide better access management on U.S. 11 by installing a raised median and reducing the number of entrances
- Modify the entrances onto U.S. 11 so they require right turns both to enter and to exit
The entire project is scheduled for completion in June 2018. More information is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/i-81_exit_150_improvement_project.asp.
3) Widen one mile of Turnpike Road to four lanes in Portsmouth, Va., in VDOT’s Hampton Roads District
The CTB awarded a contract worth approximately $23.4 million to E.V. Williams Inc. of Virginia Beach, Va., to widen a 1.08-mile section of Turnpike Road in Portsmouth from two to four lanes and add a center left-turn lane, sidewalks, curbs and gutter.
Turnpike Road, which is being reconstructed in phases, connects Frederick Boulevard to Interstate 264, the Downtown and Midtown tunnels and Route 164. In addition to increasing capacity to reduce congestion, the project also will improve vehicle and pedestrian safety.
The project is scheduled for completion in May 2018. More information is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/hamptonroads/turnpike_road_reconstruction.asp.
4) Replace the bridge on Lewistown Road (Route 802) over Interstate 95 just south of Ashland, Va., in VDOT’s Richmond District
The CTB awarded a contract worth approximately $18.2 million to W.C. English Incorporated of Lynchburg, Va., to replace the bridge on Lewistown Road over I-95 in Hanover County.
The new bridge will provide at least a 16.5-foot vertical clearance to reduce strikes from tall vehicles on I-95. The project will widen the structure to four lanes, add turn lanes and shoulders and relocate one of the adjacent exit ramps.
The project will be completed in November 2017. More information is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/richmond/i-95_lewistown_road_bridge.asp.
5) Widen sections of U.S. 360 in Hanover County in VDOT’s Richmond District
The CTB awarded a contract worth approximately $9.4 million to J.L. Kent & Sons of Spotsylvania, Va., to widen and improve U.S. 360 in Hanover County.
The project will include constructing eight lanes from Interstate 295 to the proposed Bell Creek Road intersection and six through lanes from Bell Creek Road through the Wynbrook Lane intersection.
The project will be completed in May 2017. More information is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/richmond/route_360_and_bell.asp.
6) Restore pavement on ramps on Interstate 64 and Interstate 295 and on I-64 in VDOT’s Richmond District
The CTB awarded a contract worth approximately $5.3 million to American Infrastructure-VA Inc. of Glen Allen, Va., to restore the pavement on the I-64 ramps at exits 190, 195 and 205; the ramps on I-295 at exit 28A and at U.S. 60; and pavement along eastbound I-64 in New Kent County.
7) Pave and resurface interstates, primary roads and secondary roads throughout the state
The CTB awarded 10 contracts worth a combined total of approximately $60.7 million to various contractors to pave and resurface roads and highways throughout the state. The purpose of these projects is to apply preventative, corrective and restorative overlays to maintain a safe driving surface and to extend the life of the roads.
The chart below tracks the dollar amount of major contracts the CTB has awarded in calendar year 2015:
In advance of each CTB meeting, VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick also approves contracts up to $5 million in value. From the Feb. 27 bid lettings, the commissioner approved 46 contracts worth an approximate total of $68.7 million for construction and maintenance projects on Virginia’s interstates and primary and secondary roads.
Appointed by the governor, the 17-member CTB establishes the administrative policies for Virginia's transportation system. The CTB allocates highway funding to specific projects, locates routes and provides funding for airports, seaports and public transportation. The board normally meets on the third Wednesday of the month in months when action meetings are scheduled.
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