Feds to decide on bridge funding

By Karissa Minn

kminn@salisburypost.com

The N.C. Department of Transportation says it should know by Wednesday how much money it will receive in federal funding to replace the Interstate 85 Yadkin River bridge.

In September, the state submitted an application to Washington for $300 million from a $1.5 billion pool of competitive economic stimulus grants.

The total estimated cost of planned I-85 improvements is $330 million. The work is expected to take three years to complete under two design-build contracts.

Pat Ivey, Division 9 engineer with the DOT, said the design-build process has been initiated for the first I-85 project. It will widen and upgrade the interstate from Long Ferry Road to N.C. 150 and includes the Yadkin River bridge replacement, at a total cost of $180 million. The DOT could begin taking bids for the project as early as March or April, he said.

"We are planning the project and moving along with it on the assumption that we're going to get the money," Ivey said. "I think a commitment has been made that we're going to do that project whether we get all of the money or not."

The second project, which would widen the highway from N.C. 150 to the Business 85 split, is scheduled to begin late this year, he said. It is estimated to cost $150 million.

"If we get a good portion of that, funding part of that with division funds would probably not be that big of a deal," Ivey said. "If we have to fund $100 million of it, that's going to be a big deal."

Funds coming from a federal grant would not be included in the DOT's equity formula for fund distribution, he said. Any money paid by the district would be spent at the expense of other capital projects in the area.

"We will find the money to do that first project somehow," Ivey said.

Just last month, the Yadkin River bridge was named among the state's most substandard bridges for the fifth year by AAA Carolinas.

The Interstate 85 bridge spanning the Yadkin between Rowan and Davidson counties is No. 6 on the list this year, moving from eighth worst on last year's list.

Built in 1955, the bridge carries 59,000 cars each day. It is rated in poor condition and classified as structurally deficient (having elements that need to be monitored, repaired or both) and functionally obsolete (outdated in design).

According to the DOT, if the bridge is not replaced in the near future, a multi-million dollar rehabilitation would be required to keep it open to traffic.

Did You Know?

I-85 Facts

- I-85 is the most direct and heavily traveled route between Richmond and Atlanta.

- The 6.8-mile stretch of I-85 included in the project currently carries nearly 70,000 vehicles per day. Daily traffic counts are projected to increase to 144,000 by 2030.

- The total crash rate for this stretch of I-85 is about 77 percent higher than the average crash rate for comparable roadways across the state, while the fatal crash rate is 80 percent higher. The goal of this project is to reduce both crash rates by 75 percent.

Project Details

- Will upgrade 6.8 miles of I-85 in Davidson and Rowan counties, including widening from four to eight lanes, realigning the roadway to eliminate sharp curves and improving interchanges.

- Will replace three major bridges over the Yadkin River, including the one on I-85, to improve mobility and safety.

- Has the potential to create or sustain more than 7,000 jobs. Both Rowan and Davidson counties qualify as economically distressed areas under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.