Connector In Fast Lane
Supervisors Approve $10 Million Contract For Final Leg Of Project
Posted: January 24, 2013
HARRISONBURG — Sooner than just about anyone in Rockingham County thought, drivers will be able to go from Harrisonburg’s western edge to U.S. 33 east of the city — all while avoiding downtown and the often heavily congested East Market Street corridor.
The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors approved a contract Wednesday of just less than $10 million to build the last stretch of the southeast connector.
“I’m very happy to see the completion of something I’ve been working on for four or five years,” Supervisor Dee Floyd said.
With construction slated to begin in late February or early March, the final phase of the years-in-the-making project will connect U.S. 33 to Stone Spring Road at Reservoir Street near Rockingham Memorial Hospital. As part of the project, supervisors also decided on Wednesday to install a cul-de-sac on Boyers Road to close access to U.S. 33.
County officials expect it to be complete by the end of 2014 or early in 2015.
The four-lane divided highway will have ample room for bicycle lanes and is designed for speeds of 50 mph, according to county officials and information from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It ties into work already completed by RMH and projects done or under way in the city of Harrisonburg, as well as private developers, who are building a section south of Port Republic Road.
Coupled with work to expand and connect Erickson Avenue and Stone Spring Road in the city, drivers will easily be able to go from U.S. 33 west to east near Boyers Road once all the sections are complete.
“It’s really incredible, when you think about all the players involved,” Deputy County Administrator Stephen King said of the project’s progression.
A $5 million state grant approved last summer was the key funding source that jump-started work on the final section.
Though the contract with Southeast Connector LLC was formally approved Wednesday, the board previously had taken steps moving toward an agreement with the group, which largely consists of Blackwell Engineering and A&J Excavation.
“We’re moving right along with this contract,” said Supervisor Fred Eberly, board chairman.
The contract is for up to $9.95 million, with costs expected to be closer to $9.76 million, Supervisor Pablo Cuevas said.
The 660 days spelled out in the document begin when VDOT gives a “notice to proceed,” King said.
Purchase agreements are already in place with the dozen or so property owners who are giving up right of way for the road, King added.
Contact Jeremy Hunt at 574-6273 or jhunt@dnronline.com
The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors approved a contract Wednesday of just less than $10 million to build the last stretch of the southeast connector.
“I’m very happy to see the completion of something I’ve been working on for four or five years,” Supervisor Dee Floyd said.
With construction slated to begin in late February or early March, the final phase of the years-in-the-making project will connect U.S. 33 to Stone Spring Road at Reservoir Street near Rockingham Memorial Hospital. As part of the project, supervisors also decided on Wednesday to install a cul-de-sac on Boyers Road to close access to U.S. 33.
County officials expect it to be complete by the end of 2014 or early in 2015.
The four-lane divided highway will have ample room for bicycle lanes and is designed for speeds of 50 mph, according to county officials and information from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It ties into work already completed by RMH and projects done or under way in the city of Harrisonburg, as well as private developers, who are building a section south of Port Republic Road.
Coupled with work to expand and connect Erickson Avenue and Stone Spring Road in the city, drivers will easily be able to go from U.S. 33 west to east near Boyers Road once all the sections are complete.
“It’s really incredible, when you think about all the players involved,” Deputy County Administrator Stephen King said of the project’s progression.
A $5 million state grant approved last summer was the key funding source that jump-started work on the final section.
Though the contract with Southeast Connector LLC was formally approved Wednesday, the board previously had taken steps moving toward an agreement with the group, which largely consists of Blackwell Engineering and A&J Excavation.
“We’re moving right along with this contract,” said Supervisor Fred Eberly, board chairman.
The contract is for up to $9.95 million, with costs expected to be closer to $9.76 million, Supervisor Pablo Cuevas said.
The 660 days spelled out in the document begin when VDOT gives a “notice to proceed,” King said.
Purchase agreements are already in place with the dozen or so property owners who are giving up right of way for the road, King added.
Contact Jeremy Hunt at 574-6273 or jhunt@dnronline.com