The HRTPO Project of the Month is Dominion Boulevard in Chesapeake. The project consists of widening the 3.8 mile section of Dominion Boulevard between Cedar Road and Great Bridge Boulevard from two lanes to four lanes and replacing the Steel Bridge, the current two-lane drawbridge spanning the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.  The new four-lane bridge will be 95 feet high – eliminating the need to open the bridge for boat traffic.  The project includes the construction of interchanges at Cedar Road, Bainbridge Boulevard/Dominion Lakes and Great Bridge Boulevard, which means motorists will not encounter any traffic signals from just south of Cedar Road to Interstates 64/464. 

The project ranked second in the Bridge and Tunnel Projects category (after the Midtown Tunnel project) in the HRTPO prioritization process for the 2034 Long-Range Transportation Plan, and the HRTPO has allocated more than $54 million in Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funds toward the completion of this project.  The project will be tolled using the E-ZPass automated toll collection system.  The toll is currently set at $1, to begin upon completion of the project.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012, at 10:30 am at 400 Dominion Boulevard.

Vital Stats

• The roadway currently carries approximately 33,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the most heavily traveled two-lane roads in Virginia
• Current cost estimate: $468.2 million ($411.7 million capital costs plus $56.5 million in interest, debt service, and other fees)
• The project will be 100% publicly funded – there is no private investment partner associated with the project.  The City will be the sole owner.
• Funding Highlights:
  • $325.9 million in Local Contributions, includes funding provided by
    • Toll Revenue Bonds ($150.7 million)
    • Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank loan ($151.9 million)
• $54.0 million Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Funds (including 20% state match)
• $18.3 million in Federal (SAFETEA-LU) Earmarks
• $11.3 million in Other Federal Funds (Minimum Guarantee, Primary System)
• $6.5 million in Federal Demonstration Funds
• Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2013
• Construction is expected to be completed in early 2017

Trivia

• The current Steel Bridge, built in 1962, is a double-leaf bascule bridge.  Bascule is a French term for seesaw and balance.
• The current bridge is approximately 12 feet above the river.
• The Steel Bridge currently opens up to 6,000 times per year to allow the passing of boat traffic.  That equates to an average of 16 bridge openings per day.

For more information on the Dominion Boulevard project, visit the City’s website at www.CityofChesapeake.net/Dominion.

For more information on the HRTPO TIP, go to www.hrtpotip.org.

Image of new bridge on Dominion Boulevard
Credit: City of Chesapeake

Location Map from TIP