Details on the 14th Street Bridge Construction Plan
Martin already mentioned the city's announcement that major work on the 14th Street bridges will commence this month and continue on for two years, but here are some of the finer details, released by DDOT and the mayor's office yesterday:
- Total construction time: an estimated two years. Total cost: $27 million.
- The worst of the construction related delays for morning in-bound commuters will go on during the first year only, when the northbound bridge will be completely resurfaced. DDOT plans to maintain four lanes of northbound traffic during the peak morning commute by shifting lanes, plus, the HOV bridge will not be affected. Still, they aren't sugar coating it. Surface reconstruction is going to require narrowing traffic lanes, removing the shoulders, and changing traffic patterns, all of which are going to make traveling across the bridge a slow-moving, tedious mess.
- These are the city's suggestions for how to deal with the next year's worth of delays: Ride-sharing, so you can use the HOV bridge; Making the switch to Metrorail or Virginia Railway Express; Asking your employers to adjust your work schedule or location; or using another route, especially the new Wilson Bridge. You get the sense from their language that the city is really trying to implement a scared straight philosophy for this project. In other words: don't just figure you can still use the bridge every day like normal. This is gonna blow.
- Yes, there is a web site for this project, and if you plan to use the 14th Street bridge at any time over the next year, you should probably bookmark it: www.ddot.dc.gov/14thstreetbridge
More from the announcement, after the jump.
During the next year, northbound bridge travelers can expect:Changing Traffic Patterns: Phase One will take approximately three months but lanes will shift approximately every month thereafter to accommodate construction. During several phases of the construction, lanes will be split and traffic will be routed on both sides of construction barriers.
Shorter Merging Distances: When the center lanes of the bridge are under construction, motorists will have significantly shorter distances to move across lanes to get to their exits. This will particularly affect those entering from northbound George Washington Parkway and exiting onto 14th Street.
Narrower Lanes: Lanes will be narrowed (from 12 ft. to 11 ft.) to maintain four lanes.
Elimination of Shoulders: The two shoulders will be taken away during construction. A tow truck will be stationed near the site during rush hours.
Off-Peak Lane Closures: On weekdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the contractor may impose a single lane closure. On weekends, from 5:00 a.m. Saturday to 5:00 a.m. Monday, the contractor may impose multiple lane closures.
Distractions: Barriers will border travel lanes and construction involving jack hammering, large machinery, milling and construction workers will be in close proximity to traffic. In addition to visual distractions, periodic loud noise, vibration and dust also may distract drivers.
The Operators Tower on the northbound bridge will also be given a much needed facelift. In addition to general refurbishment, a dynamic light feature will be added making the tower’s six windows act as a colorful beacon into the city.
Repairs to the southbound 14th Street Bridge will be performed simultaneously with northbound bridge work during overnight periods and is not expected to impose major impacts to commuters.
Cyclists and pedestrians will experience some temporary closures primarily due to construction and staging activities. More details will be provided when schedules are confirmed. Work under the bridge will be conducted from barges tethered to piers, allowing ample space for boaters to get around construction.