West Glebe Road Bridge Reconstruction Project
Location
West Glebe Road Bridge at South Four Mile Run Drive. The bridge travels over South Four Mile Run and the Four Mile Run Trail.
Location of the West Glebe Road Bridge Reconstruction Project
Status
In Design
The project has reached the 30% design milestone. The design includes wider sidewalks and separate bicycle facilities on each side of the bridge, in response to community feedback received in January and February 2020.
Using feedback received from the public through meetings and online feedback, County staff developed an Ideabook that reflects the desires of the community and links the bridge design to the Four Mile Run Master Plan and Design Guidelines.
Design-build contract
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria agreed on a design-build approach for this project, where a firm is hired to take the design from 30% to final and then build the West Glebe Road bridge. The design-build process includes proposals with specific art elements that enhance the bridge aesthetically, provide additional lighting on the Four Mile Run trail, and connect the design of the bridge to the communities of Arlington and Alexandria.
In April 2021 the County Board approved a $9.89 million contract, including contingency, to Corman Kokosing Construction Company for design-build services to replace the West Glebe Road Bridge. Design of the bridge is expected to last one year, and the project will go to immediate construction after the design is complete.
Responding to the communities’ concern for connectivity and the impact to residents living in close proximity, the bridge will continue to operate during construction but with reduced lane capacity. People walking or biking will continue to have access to the bridge through the duration of project construction.
About the Project
Background
A routine inspection in fall 2018 uncovered deterioration that required a vehicle weight restriction of 5-tons and closure of the sidewalks in both directions. The southbound lane across the bridge was converted for the exclusive use of people walking and biking.
County staff are developing designs for a bridge that replaces the deteriorated roadway substructure and reuses the existing piers, which are stable. This reduces impacts to the watershed, helps reduce project costs and contributes to a shorter construction timeline.
Project Goals
The goals of this project are to:
- Return the bridge to a safe operational condition for all users
- Improve access for people walking, biking and driving
- Advance the community vision of the Four Mile Run Master Plan
- View a summary of guidance from the Four Mile Run Restoration Master Plan (2006) and the Four Mile Run Design Guidelines (2009)
Public Process
Open House - February 2020
Arlington County staff, in coordination with colleagues in the City of Alexandria, hosted a drop-in style open house at Gunston Middle School. For those unable to attend the open house, meeting materials are provided below and feedback was collected online.
Meeting materials
- Project Boards: Project Background; Planning Guidance; Existing Conditions, Constraints and Opportunities; Opportunities for Input; and Next Steps.
- Plantillas de Proyecto: Introducción del Proyecto y Guías para el Proyecto; Condiciones Existentes, Alternativas y Restricciones; Oportunidades para Contribuir; y Pasos Siguientes
Community engagement and feedback summary
Funding
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria are sharing design and reconstruction costs for the new bridge.