Gilmerton gets national nod

CHESAPEAKE, Va (WAVY) - A Federal Highway Administrator visited the Gilmerton Bridge Monday and says he will be using the project as a national example.

Victor Mendez says he wants to talk about the local project to other highway department leaders across the country because it is one of the first in the country to use a design-build approach, meaning that the same contractor designs and builds the project, often saving time and money.

The prefabricated lift span is also saving drivers time and money, according to Mendez.

Contractors built the lift off-site and will float it down the Elizabeth River for installation.

A VDOT spokesperson said that could happen at the end of October, and when it does, the bridge will be closed for two weeks. Boat traffic will shut down for five days.

The bridge spans a section of Military Highway in Chesapeake, connecting the South Norfolk and Deep Creek areas. According to VDOT, 35,000 vehicles cross it every day.

The federal government is picking up 80 percent of the tab for the project, equaling about $113 million of the $134 million total cost.