Old Chesterbrook Road Bridge Emergency Replacement Begins Today

Preliminary work begins on the emergency replacement of  the bridge on Old Chesterbrook Road over Pimmit Run today.

The bridge will close the weekend  June 8-11 then close for the rest of the summer on June 16, 2012.

The project will replace the worn timber decking and steel beams with a more durable concrete superstructure. To finish most of the work before the next school year, crews will close the bridge for the summer, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Old Chesterbrook Road is a favorite shortcut for McLean residents to get into Washington, D.C. or to Reagan National Airport.

The new bridge will continue to carry two lanes of traffic and a sidewalk, and edge-to-edge it will be a few feet wider. The road alignment and elevation will be slightly improved to match the bridge, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The work also includes new approach sidewalks on the north side of Old Chesterbrook Road, a pedestrian crossing, and connection to Pimmit Run walking trail.

The existing bridge was built in 1978 and has been structurally deficient for several years, VDOT said.

In January 2012, inspections revealed advanced deterioration of the structural steel that downgraded the bridge’s condition rating and reduced the load-carrying capacity limit to 20 tons. This project was accelerated and approved for emergency procurement to replace the deteriorated elements and restore full-load capacity as soon as possible.

Traffic Impacts

Weekday lane closures through June 15 – Beginning Monday, May 21, drivers can expect traffic to be reduced to one lane over the bridge from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Flaggers will direct traffic.

Weekend bridge closure June 8-11 – Crews will close the bridge from 7 p.m. Friday, June 8 through 5 a.m. Monday, June 11 to relocate a sewer line for the project.

Summer-long bridge closure – The bridge will close to traffic on Saturday, June 16 and will re-open by Tuesday, September 4.

Detour- Via Westmoreland Street, Chain Bridge Road, Old Dominion Drive and Birch Road.See maps.

After the bridge re-opens in September, some additional daytime lane closures may be needed to finish detail work. The entire project is expected to cost about $1 million and be complete in November 2012. For more details.