The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has begun the second phase of the three-year, three-phase project to widen and rehabilitate the Interstate 64 bridge over the Acca railroad switching yard.

Beginning Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. motorists traveling from I-195 north to I-64 west were restricted from crossing the construction zone and exiting onto Staples Mill Road (exit 185).

The Staples Mill Road exit ramps remain accessible to all vehicles already traveling on I-64. Work zones will be in place around the clock for the duration of the project due to the scope of this work. Three lanes of traffic will remain in each direction on I-64 with nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as needed.

This $23 million construction project involves rehabilitation and widening of the I-64 bridge over the Acca railroad-switching yard. This project will not only improve the current 37-year-old structure, but will also reduce congestion at the Bryan Park interchange and provide two additional lanes of travel in each direction (for a total of 10 lanes), offering a continuous merge lane from Staples Mill Road to the Laburnum Avenue/I-195 interchange.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we widen and rehabilitate the bridge,” said Ray Johnston, VDOT project manager. “We are extremely pleased that the project is roughly 30 days ahead of schedule.”

The contract with Archer Western Contractors Ltd. includes a $1 million incentive if the second phase of the project is completed by Nov. 1, which would eliminate the I-195 north/I-64 west to Staples Mill Road exit restriction.

VDOT held a public hearing in October 2002 and a town hall meeting in November 2004 to gather citizen feedback on this project and to allow individuals a chance to preview potential traffic impacts. The third phase is scheduled to begin in late 2006. During this phase, contractors will restore all traffic access to the Staples Mill Road exit. Lane width restrictions will be in place while crews continue work to rehabilitate the bridge. The entire project is expected to be completed by late 2007.

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