Belmont Bridge

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The Belmont Bridge is a newly-built structure that carries Avon Street over the CSX railway to the east of Charlottesville's Downtown Mall. It is a primary pedestrian connection to the Belmont Carlton neighborhood. The project is still under construction.

The city spent many years planning for the replacement and construction got underway in the summer of 2021. A notice to proceed for construction was given in late June 2021. [1] The eastern portion of the bridge has been completed and now the western portion is under construction.

The replacement will be the third structure to cross the railroad tracks and had been in the planning process for many years. The now-demolished bridge had opened in 1962. [2] Construction was slated to begin in Spring 2020 with completion slated for 2022, but that was pushed back due to a cost over-run after the project was put out to bid. [3]



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Belmont Bridge Replacement
Belmont-bridge.jpg

Planned

Project Overview

To replace a bridge that has a sufficiency rating of 47.6 [4]
Cost $31.1 million [5]
Location City Hall
Sponsor Charlottesville

Status Update

Kimley-Horn is developing construction documents for the project

Website Official site
Contact Jeanette Janiczek, VDOT program manager, Charlottesville

Project overview

Charlottesville has spent several years studying the best approach to replace the Belmont Bridge, which carries Avon Street over the Buckingham Branch railroad line.[6] As of Jan 2018, the firm Kimley-Horn is developing construction documents for a new bridge that will be shorter than the existing bridge.[7]

Approved major design features as of an October 2018 Status Report[8]:

  • A replacement bridge that is shortened to approximately 236 LF in length and maintains the existing 62’ width
  • Roadway Section on Avon/9th Street between Levy Avenue and East Market Street intersections will consist of one travel lane in each direction, a protected 7’ wide bike lane in each direction and a 10’ wide pedestrian sidewalk in each direction. Turning lanes will be added/lengthened at each intersection to maximize efficiency of each signal while maintaining traffic flow.
  • “Old” Avon Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Levy Avenue and East South Street to improve the function and safety of the Levy Avenue/9th Street intersection for all modes of travel while creating a pedestrian plaza within the former roadway.
  • Enhanced pedestrian lighting and landscaping will be provided along 9th Street between Levy Avenue and East Market Street.
  • New sidewalk will be constructed along neighboring streets to the project corridor and landscaping will be installed – on East South Street, Avon Street, Graves Street and Water Street.

History

Prior to 1905, there were gates at an at-grade crossing with the railroad that controlled pedestrian and horse access to the tracks.[9] One of the guardians of these gates was a man named Ned Harrison, who went by Uncle Ned.

The first bridge to span the railroad tracks was built in 1905 and helped trigger rapid growth in the Belmont-Carlton neighborhood.[10] This bridge was replaced in 1962.

Replacement path chosen over replacement path

On September 15, 2003, Council discussed a request to VDOT for $1.6 million in emergency funding to repair the bridge. At the time, Maurice Cox noted the bridge was not friendly to pedestrians and suggested the "best solution" was not a replacement. Jim Tolbert responded that the future of the bridge could be determined after VDOT approved the project. [11] They next discussed the project at a work session on September 27, 2004 and were told a "band-aid repair" would cost $180,000 whereas $1.6 million would fix the issues. [12]

At the April 18, 2005 meeting, Council was briefed on the city's participation in the Virginia First Cities program meaning the city would now manage allocations of VDOT funding. At the time, the idea was to repair the bridge. [13] A public hearing on $1.46 million in federal funds was held on May 2, 2005. Another $552,000 in state funds were earmarked for the project. [14]

However four years later, the bridge had deteriorated to the point where replacement was recommended over repair. The repairs project never went forward, and Council was asked to proceed with a plan to replace at their meeting on April 6, 2009. [15] In December 2008, a cost/benefit analysis conducted by the city had supported full replacement rather than repair. [16][dead link] MMM Design was selected to serve as the design consultant for the project. [17]

Initial struggles with funding

The city received $1 million in VDOT revenue sharing money for the project in FY2012.[18]

In November 2009, VDOT officials announced plans to cut several hundred million dollars worth of projects to fill a budget deficit, threatening the ability for the city to save for the bridge.[19]

Rocky road for the MMM Design

MMM Design held a public kick-off meeting in November 2010.[20] However, after a series of public meetings they presented a design that did not meet the favor of many in the Belmont community.

Contest leads to competing designs

Filmmaker Brian Wimer held a contest in February 2012 called Project Gait-Way to solicit new designs. The winning concept called for the bridge to be replaced with an at-grade crossing with the Buckingham Branch Railroad.[21] The result lead to uncertainty about which direction the city would go as transportation planners weighed their options.[22] Council agreed

Charlottesville City Council (2012-2013) considered the matter at its meeting on March 5, 2012. Several members of the public urged Council to consider the winning entry when considering a replacement. Mayor Satyendra Huja said doing away with the bridge would be impractical.[23] NDS Director Jim Tolbert told Council that he was working with MMM, city staff and the chair of the U.Va School of Architecture. He said the newly-created PLACE Design Task Force would be initial body to review work of the "local architect to work with their design team." MMM continued work on the project.

The design firm Siteworks Studio was hired as a subcontractor, and spent the summer of 2012 taking the elements from design contest entries to incorporate into a new design. Two alternatives have been developed. One would be a replacement of the bridge. The other would be an underpass, with Avon Street dipping below the CSX railroad tracks. Both designs also feature a pedestrian-only suspension bridge, a plaza, and a linear park along the railroad.[24][dead link]

The PLACE Design Task Force reviewed the proposals in December 2012. The task force recommended the adoption of the underpass scheme because it concluded that it would provide easier and more attractive access to the Downtown Mall and give greater development potential to land south of the railroad tracks.[25][26][dead link] Charlottesville sought public input regarding the two designs in February 2013.[27]

Public input was again solicited at a meeting in November 2013 at which some participants expressed a feeling they were trapped in an endless loop.[28] MMM continued work on the project throughout the winter of 2014.[29] However a competing design for an underpass developed by architect Jim Rounsevell was championed by many in the community and was to be presented along side two design scenarios MMM was developing.[30]

Charlottesville City Council (2014-2015) opted to proceed with one of the bridge designs developed by MMM in late July 2014.[31] However, MMM went out of business leaving the city having to start nearly from scratch.[32]

2015 search for new design firm

A request for proposals for a new design firm was created by the steering committee and was advertised by the end of November 2015.[33]

On October 20, 2016, NDS director Alexander Ikefuna told the PACC-Tech Committee that the Virginia Department of Transportation was reviewing the contract with the unknown firm on issues related to the pay-scale as well as "new provisions from Washington." He said the city attorney's office would have to review any changes that were made.

The project was dormant for many months after the summer of 2014 but a request for proposals had been advertised at the end of November 2015.[33] Negotiations proceeded throughout 2016 before Kimley-Horn was announced.[34]

Kimley-Horn takes on the job

The city of Charlottesville signed a $1.98 million contract with Kimley-Horn in late December 2016 to design an urban design plan for the bridge and the surrounding areas.[35] This came after several months of negotiations over the scope and fee to redesign the bridge following the failure of the now-closed MMM Design to produce a satisfactory alternative.[36]

Kimley-Horn began the public process in February 2017.[37] A survey conducted in the late winter and early spring indicated respondents wanted a functional bridge rather than a majestic icon.[38] Design workshops with multiple committees and stakeholders was held in late April.[39] The steering committee endorsed the basic concept in June 2017.[40] Charlottesville City Council (2016-2017) approved the preliminary design in October 2017.[7]

Kimley-Horn is currently developing construction documents following preliminary design approval from the Board of Architectural Review, the Planning Commission and City Council.[7][41]

Council made the final appropriation for the project to move forward on August 3, 2020. [5]


Development timeline

2009

  • April 2009 – MMM Design hired to engineer and design new bridge [17]

2010

  • November 30, 2010 – Kick-off meeting at CitySpace.[20][42]

2011

2012

2013

  • January 13, 2013 – PLACE Design Task Force recommends underpass option [25]
  • February 13, 2013 – Belmont Bridge Conceptual Design Review meeting at Central Library.[27]
  • November 21, 2013 – Another public meeting is held to gather input on bridge design [28]

2014

  • May 20, 2014 – Another public meeting is held to demonstrate two MMM designs as well as underpass [49]
  • July 22, 2014 – Charlottesville City Council (2014-2015) decides unanimously to proceed with one of the MMM designs [31]
  • Fall 2014 – MMM goes out of business

2015

  • November 12, 2015 – City urban designer Carrie Rainey said request for new proposals should be advertised by end of month [33]
  • November 27, 2015 – City issues request for proposals.[50]

2016

2017

2018

  • June 2018 – Geotechnical work begins [53]

2019

2020

  • Spring Charlottesville City Council approved $5 million in CIP funds to pay for the project. [56]
  • August 3, 2020 – Council holds first reading on appropriation for project [57]

Related Media

Underside of Belmont Bridge from East Water Street

"A Tale of Two Bridges" - A video made for Project Gait-Way

<youtube>RXM4TAqTWBs</youtube>

References

  1. Web. June 29, 2021: Belmont Bridge construction receives notice to proceed; Regional Housing Partnership 'Planning for Affordability', Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Community Engagement, Town Crier Productions, June 29, 2021, retrieved July 24, 2021.
  2. Web. Over or under: A decision looms on the future of the Belmont Bridge project, Courteney Stuart, C-VILLE Weekly, Portico Publications, May 28, 2014, retrieved November 9, 2018.
  3. Web. April 27, 2021: No qualifying bids for Belmont Bridge? CACVB considers the make-up of its Board of Directors, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Community Engagement, Town Crier Productions, April 27, 2021, retrieved July 18, 2021.
  4. Web. Revenue matching funds for roads cut, Rachana Dixit, News Article, Charlottesville Daily Progress / Lynchburg News Advance, June 28, 2010, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Web. August 3, 2020: UVA Board of Visitors talks reopening, COVID-19 contingencies, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Community Engagement, Town Crier Productions, August 3, 2020, retrieved September 26, 2020.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Web. Belmont Bridge design coming into focus, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 22, 2011, retrieved June 29, 2011.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Web. Belmont Bridge design wins council's approval, Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, October 17, 2017, retrieved December 27, 2017.
  8. Web. Belmont Bridge Replacement Project Status Report, October 2018
  9. Web. Belmont - A History of a Neighborhood, James H. Buck Jr., Paper for James Kinard's Local History course, May 1980, retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. Web. City of Charlottesville Strategic Investment Area Plan, Cunningham Quill, Cunningham Quill, December 13, 2013, retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, September 15, 2003.
  12. Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, September 27, 2004.
  13. Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, April 18, 2005.
  14. Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, May 2, 2005.
  15. Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, April 6, 2009.
  16. Web. Project Tracking Matrix, MPO Policy Board, December 15, 2008, retrieved 9 Nov 2009.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Web. MMM Design selected to oversee new Belmont Bridge design work, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, April 8, 2009, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  18. Web. FY 2012 Revenue Sharing Allocations, Virginia Department of Transportation, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  19. Web. Belmont Bridge fix funds in danger, Ted Strong, Daily Progress, Media General, November 25, 2009, retrieved January 2, 2018.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Web. November 30, 2010 Kick-Off Meeting, City of Charlottesville, retrieved April 8, 2011.
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  22. Web. Design work on U.S. 29 widening to start this summer, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 24, 2012, retrieved December 27, 2016.
  23. Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, March 5, 2012.
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  25. 25.0 25.1 Web. Belmont Bridge replacement proposals, PLACE Design Task Force, Advisory Memo, PLACE Design Task Force, January 13, 2013, retrieved January 20, 2018.
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  29. Web. Belmont Bridge design getting refined, Effie Effie Nicholaou, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  30. Web. Enhanced Belmont Bridge to be presented alongside underpass, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 13, 2014, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  31. 31.0 31.1 Web. Unanimous Council dismisses underpass as Belmont Bridge replacement, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, July 22, 2014, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  32. Web. City to hire new firm to design Belmont Bridge, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, October 7, 2014, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 Web. [1], Sean Tubbs, Twitter coverage of PLACE Design Task Force, Twitter, November 12, 2015, retrieved November 16, 2015.
  34. Web. Negotiations continue for firm to design new Belmont Bridge, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 29, 2016, retrieved January 11, 2017.
  35. Web. City signs design contract for Belmont Bridge replacement, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, December 26, 2016, retrieved December 27, 2016.
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  37. Web. Kimley-Horn begins public process for new Belmont Bridge design, Sean Tubbs, News article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 21, 2017, retrieved December 27, 2017.
  38. Web. Belmont Bridge replacement doesn’t need iconic status, survey says, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 29, 2017, retrieved December 28, 2017.
  39. Web. Kimley-Horn wraps up Belmont Bridge design workshop, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, April 19, 2017, retrieved December 28, 2017.
  40. Web. Belmont Bridge Steering Committee endorses design elements, Kayli Wren, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 15, 2017, retrieved January 1, 2018.
  41. Web. Belmont Bridge Steering Committee endorses design elements, Kayli Wren, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 15, 2017, retrieved June 26, 2017.
  42. Web. http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/6368-belmont-bridge-replacement/, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, December 1, 2010, retrieved November 16, 2015.
  43. Web. Adjacent neighborhood meeting, City of Charlottesville, retrieved April 8, 2011.
  44. Web. DBAC meeting, City of Charlottesville, retrieved April 8, 2011.
  45. Web. [2], City of Charlottesville, retrieved April 8, 2011.
  46. Web. Chamber of Commerce meeting, City of Charlottesville, retrieved April 8, 2011.
  47. Web. Public design charette, City of Charlottesville, retrieved April 8, 2011.
  48. Web. Belmont Bridge Replacement Design Preview Meeting, Charlottesville Tomorrow, retrieved September 1, 2011.
  49. Web. More questions raised about Belmont Bridge replacements, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, May 21, 2014, retrieved January 20, 2018.
  50. Web. Charlottesville seeks ‘urban design plan’ for Belmont Bridge, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, November 29, 2016, retrieved April 27, 2016.
  51. Web. Sidewalk to be closed on deteriorating Belmont Bridge, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 13, 2017, retrieved December 26, 2017.
  52. Web. [3], Charlottesville Tomorrow, retrieved May 9, 2017.
  53. Web. First Steps in Belmont Bridge Construction Are Underway, Lowell Rose, News Article, NBC29, June 10, 2018, retrieved June 11, 2018.
  54. Web. Architecture panel advances Belmont Bridge project, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, August 20, 2019, retrieved August 21, 2019.
  55. Web. Neighborhood Development Services - Projects Update to City Council, Department of Neighborhood Development Services, Septmber 2019, retrieved November 11, 2019.
  56. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 072120-CCE
  57. Web. August 4, 2020: COVID concerns in Lynchburg; Council hears complaints on listening session, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Community Engagement, Town Crier Productions, August 4, 2020, retrieved September 26, 2020.

External links

Resources