AGENDA DATE: 10/7/2020
TITLE:
Title
Resolution Endorsing Route 601 (Old Ivy Road) Bridge Repair
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution supporting the revised bridge design of Route 601 (Old Ivy Road) over the US-29/250 Bypass with a shoulder width of 4 feet to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian access
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Filardo, Rapp, McDermott, Butch
PRESENTER (S): Daniel Butch
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is proposing to replace the bridge deck and beams and to rehabilitate the bridge piers of Route 601 (Old Ivy Road) over the US-29/250 Bypass. The existing bridge was built in 1961 and is now rated structurally deficient. The proposed $3.3 million bridge repair will be funded through State of Good Repair (SGR) allocations, which are dedicated to replacing deteriorated bridges or those deemed in poor condition (structurally deficient) on interstate and primary highways. A public hearing was held on March 11, 2020 at the Holiday Inn Charlottesville-University Area, 1901 Emmet Street, Charlottesville, with a public comment period ending on March 21, 2020. The bridge repair is currently in design and is expected to be advertised for bids in October 2023 with construction beginning in early 2024.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment: Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: The initial design for the bridge repair did not include any bicycle or pedestrian accommodations. VDOT received over thirty comments, with the majority reflecting the public’s desire to “widen” the bridge structure to provide both pedestrian and bicycle access. SGR funding limits VDOT’s ability to make improvements such as widening the structure for bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure, as the scope of the project is for repair or rehabilitation in-kind only. Any further design to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure such as bike lanes, sidewalks or a shared-use path would require a new project scope, survey, and engineering. VDOT further evaluated accommodations that could fit in the current project scope and within the proposed bridge geometrics (curb to curb bridge width). The result of that evaluation identified the ability to include a shoulder width of 4 feet on one side of the bridge to provide a bicycle accommodation while still meeting the SGR funding requirements. VDOT is seeking County support of the proposed bridge repairs with this design alternative.
BUDGET IMPACT: As stated, the repair for Route 601 (Old Ivy Road) bridge will be funded through the SGR program and requires no additional funding from the County budget. Additionally, VDOT will accept future maintenance of the structure. Therefore, no County funds are necessary to support the project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment B) in support of the project and the revised bridge design of Route 601 (Old Ivy Road) over the US-29/250 Bypass.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att. A - Route 601 Transverse Section
Att. B - Resolution Endorsing Route 601 (Old Ivy Road) Bridge Repair