he reconstruction of Route 285 (Tinkling Spring Road) at Interstate 64 in Fishersville is under way. The two-year project will improve safety and traffic flow along one of the busiest corridors in Augusta County.
Shirley Contracting Co., LLC of Lorton began work this week on a permanent stormwater basin adjacent to Route 285. Crews will soon begin excavation for new piers and abutments that will support a new bridge over I-64 at exit 91.
Nighttime lane closures on the westbound and eastbound lanes of the interstate onSept. 11-12 will allow installation of concrete barriers along the left shoulders. All work is weather permitting.
When the project is complete Route 285 will have four lanes for just over one mile, from Route 636 (Goose Creek Road) to Route 935 (Expo Road). The bridge over I-64 will be widened to accommodate the additional travel lanes, and dual left-turn lanes at both on-ramps. Additional turn lanes will be built at the Route 285/636 intersection to handle traffic from the nearby hospital complex. Route 285 will have a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded Shirley Contracting a $21 million design-build contract in September 2012. The company plans to perform the work in three phases, beginning with construction of a new bridge over I-64 and widening the roadway to the west side of Route 285.
Most of the work will take place along shoulders, so primary traffic impact should be limited to times when crews make intersection improvements. Final completion of the project is scheduled for August 2015, but drivers will benefit from the wider bridge and roadway beginning next summer.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
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Chris Graham
