Wagman breaks ground on Rappahannock River Crossing project

Infrastructure construction services firm Wagman Heavy Civil has started construction on the $101.6m design-build I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing project in Virginia, US.

The project is part of the Atlantic Gateway group of projects, which include enhancements to transportation projects within the I-95 corridor.

In December, Wagman won the design-build project contract from the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

The project includes design and construction of three new general purpose lanes for I-95 south, as well as conversion of the three existing lanes to collector-distributer lanes.

Plans include construction of a new bridge over Route 17 and the Rappahannock River parallel to the existing I-95 southbound bridges to carry the new lanes.

In order to minimise overcrowding on I-95 at Fredericksburg, Virginia, the project seeks to provide an extra route for local traffic travelling between Route 17 and Route 3, without merging into the interstate’s general purpose lanes.

Signs will be installed to help drivers differentiate between general purpose lanes and the lanes for Route 3 and Route 17 interchange traffic.

Wagman Heavy Civil president and COO Greg Andricos said: “Wagman is excited to start the physical construction of this design-build project. We share VDOT’s sense of urgency and look to collectively expedite the delivery of this project improving safety and mobility along I-95.”

According to the plan, three new I-95 southbound lanes will be constructed in the current median of I-95 for through traffic between north of Exit 133 (Route 17) in Stafford County and south of Exit 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg.

Additionally, the three existing I-95 southbound lanes from north of Route 17 to south of Route 3 will be converted to three southbound lanes for local traffic.

Construction work has already commenced and the project is expected to be completed in 2022.