Haymes Brothers Inc. photo
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is currently working on improvements to a road corridor in the Lynchburg, Va., area.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is currently working on improvements to a road corridor in the Lynchburg, Va., area.
The project began on Jan. 25, 2016, and the contract completion date is Nov. 16. The contract value is $8.4 million and the contract was awarded to Haymes Brothers Inc., where Charles (Chuck) Haymes serves as president. Work is currently on schedule, and funding is reportedly coming from 80 percent federal sources and 20 percent state sources.
The primary purpose of this project is to provide additional safety improvements on the Route 460/29 corridor from Route 501 (Campbell Avenue) to Route 29 (Monacan Parkway) through the implementation of access management strategies from the intersection with Route 501 to Poston Street.
According to Paula K. Jones, communications manager of the Lynchburg district of VDOT, there are several challenges involved with the project, including high traffic volumes with lane closure time restrictions to avoid peak hours, a narrow footprint within which to work and the relocation of water line facilities requiring temporary shutdowns and close coordination with the city of Lynchburg, which is the owner of the water line facilities.
Other issues noted include maintaining safe and continuous ingress/egress for residents and businesses within project limits, the requirement to perform major grading/road building that normally isn't attempted at night due to lane closure restrictions and work being done nearly 24 hours per day for most of the project.
"This roadway segment lies between two limited access sections of Rte. 460/29," Jones said. A review of traffic data showed a significant increase in vehicular accidents along this segment after the opening of the US 29 Bypass (Monacan Parkway). Because it was not economically feasible to acquire the right of way necessary to reconstruct this segment as a limited access facility, an access management approach is being implemented to improve safety."
Phase I of the project, completed in 2011, included the closure or modification of crossovers, installation of an emergency crossover at Tyreeanna Road/Holcomb Path Road, a right-out only connection at Tyreeanna Road and the installation of a jughandle for U-turns and left turns at Concord Turnpike.
Jones said that during Phase II, which is currently under construction, safety improvements will be realized by reducing speed differentials in the travel lanes and limiting turning movements and conflict points which have contributed to increased traffic crashes since the opening of the Monacan Parkway.
"This will be accomplished by constructing auxiliary lanes so traffic entering or leaving Route 460/29 will have dedicated lanes in which to accelerate or decelerate to and from highway speeds; reducing and/or relocating private and business entrances; constructing right turn lanes at Falwell Airport and Templeton's Market; and constructing a new access road off the auxiliary lane for access to Truck Body Corp. and residents in or near the adjacent trailer park," she said.
The project length is 1.31 mi. (2 km). Significant quantities from the job include 69,016 cu. yds. (52,766 cu m) of regular excavation, 21,099 tons (19,140.6 t) of asphalt concrete, 18,052 tons (16,376 t) of base stone, and 5,616 ft. (1,712 m) of water main.
The major subcontractor for the project is Boxley Asphalt LLC. Boxley is currently performing work on numerous construction and maintenance contracts throughout the region, according to Jones. She noted that project work is being done by typical earthwork and paving equipment.
The contract includes early completion incentives as well as roadway user cost liquidated damages for failure to remove lane closures during daytime hours.—CEG
Brenda Ruggiero
Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.
Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.
Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.
Read more from Brenda Ruggiero here.
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