by Jackie Nunnery –
At 67 years old, the Robert O. Norris Jr. Memorial Bridge has been spanning the Rappahannock River for the lifetimes of many while nearing the end of its own useful life.
Its nearly $400-million replacement is now included in the 50-year Long-Term Plan approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Preliminary work is under way by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in preparation for construction to begin in 2036.
That preliminary work was outlined by Annette Adams, VDOT Fredericksburg District bridge engineer, at the Thursday, Feb. 29, Lancaster County Board of Supervisors meeting. In her presentation, she said the site assessment plan, which focuses on constructability as well as the type and location of the structure is ongoing and would be finished by spring. The geotechnical review, which looks at the ground and riverbed where the bridge piers will be constructed and the National Environmental Policy Act review are also in progress. The geotechnical review is slated for completion this fall.
Adams said a public hearing will be conducted to present the environmental piece at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. While the exact design of the bridge has yet to be determined, the new bridge linking Middlesex and Lancaster counties would incorporate updated minimum standards, including increasing the width of the two travel lanes from 11 feet to 12 feet, adding four-foot shoulders and increasing the height of the railings from 32 inches to 42 inches. The new construction also would accommodate vehicles of all weights — the current bridge has a 45-ton weight limit.
Meanwhile, bridge maintenance is ongoing. Adams said it is currently rated five on a zero to nine national bridge inspection scale, which is deemed “fair.” It is a score the bridge has maintained since 1993.
“The bridge is inspected on an annual cycle for critical elements, which is why you see us out there every year. We’re inspecting the entire bridge every two years, the critical elements plus the rest of the structure,” she said.
In addition to recently completed routine repairs, Adams said spot structural steel repairs would be made towards the end of the year and into the next. Pile jacket repairs would be done as needed.
Supervisor Jason Bellows said the bridge “is our front door and we spent a lot of effort and money to protect this against potential destruction by large towers next to it, so maintaining critical elements for boating in the new design is really important to us.”
Lancaster County Admin-istrator Don Gill reminded VDOT that Lancaster supervisors had expressed interest in retaining part of the old bridge for use as a public fishing pier, as well as maintaining the 110-foot vertical clearance in the replacement bridge.
An information session on the bridge replacement process will take place from 5-7 p.m. March 19 at Lancaster Elementary School, 191 School St., Kilmarnock. There will be an opportunity for questions at the session, but written and oral comments can also be submitted at norrisbridgereplacement@vdot.virginia.gov; online comment form, publicinput.com/norrisbridgereplacement; or mail to Kelly Hannon, Virginia Department of Transportation, 87 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405.
Future updates on the bridge replacement project will be posted at vdot.virginia.gov/projects/fredericksburg-district/ robert-o-norris-bridge-replacement-project/.
