Contributed by VDOT
· Weight limit reduced from six tons to four· No school buses or fire trucks permitted
· Construction on 132-year-old bridge begins fall 2015
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY—The Virginia of Transportation (VDOT) has reduced the weight limit on the one-lane Aden Road bridge from six tons to four, due to further corrosion of the structurally deficient 132-year-old truss bridge owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad. VDOT bridge crews inspected the bridge Thursday, March 27 and posted new weight limit signs the following day.
“We want to make sure that any vehicles over four tons – such as fire trucks and school buses –are not using the bridge,” said Gary Runco, VDOT’s bridge engineer in northern Virginia. Until reconstruction begins next year, we are inspecting the bridge twice a month and are consulting with Norfolk Southern to determine if interim repairs can be made.”
A $4.5 million construction project is scheduled to begin in spring 2015 to rehabilitate and strengthen the existing truss. It will remain in service to carry northbound Aden Road traffic and a new bridge will be built adjacent to the existing truss for southbound traffic.
The wrought-iron truss bridge was built in 1882 by Keystone Bridge Company for the Virginia Midland Railway, and was relocated to its current location sometime between 1904 and 1928. The bridge is now owned by Norfolk Southern and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
VDOT will own and maintain both the historic truss and the new bridge after construction is completed.
Aden Road currently carries about 2,800 vehicles a day. By 2036 the bridge is expected to carry 4,900 vehicles a day.
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