The primary feature of this project was to provide safety and operational improvements along the I-95 corridor, which included the design and construction of a 2.2 mile reversible lane from the current southern terminus of the I-95 Express Lanes.

The roadway project was situated along a major east-west connector linking residential and commercial areas with a need to improve pedestrian and bicycle access. The extension of Mary Washington Boulevard provided new access to the medical campus at Mary Washington Hospital.

The Berkmar Drive Extension project element, valued at $34.6 M, is a 2.5-mile urban connector roadway on new alignment. The project was one of three project elements that were part of the Route 29 Solutions Design-Build bundle. The extension provided a context sensitive, curvilinear alignment that avoided impacts to several cultural resource sites and minimized impacts to wetlands and stream crossings.

WRA led development of the final engineering documents for this roadway widening project. The project included widening two existing bridges over the Chickahominy River that blend with the original 1960s structure. Structured work packages were developed to accelerate the start of construction activities, and innovative design approaches were used in addressing box culverts that minimized wetland impacts.

WRA prepared an Interchange Modification Report (IMR) to determine recommended improvements that addressed existing safety deficiencies and accommodated planned development and future traffic volume increases.  VDOT selected the DDI alternative as the most efficient way to address safety and capacity needs. It also provided a solution within the existing right-of-way and did not require reconstruction of the Route 15 bridge over I-64, costing less than half compared to other alternatives under consideration.

WRA’s multi-disciplinary team has provided design services varying from large complex structure replacements and intersection/roundabout improvements to straightforward curb ramp replacements. Covering all twelve Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering Districts, and highways operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, we have designed over 80 structures, including Steel Beams, P/S Concrete Beams, and Culverts, both single and multiple spans. 

As a result of comprehensive alternatives analysis, WRA selected an innovative interchange design. The primary goal of the project was to improve safety, mostly due to left-turns within the corridor. Additionally, WRA set goals to maintain or improve traffic operations and multi-modal accommodations. This interchange design eliminates the need for left-turning vehicles to cross the paths of approaching through vehicles by shifting cross street traffic to the left side of the street between the signalized crossover intersections.

WRA is a key team member leading the P3 program’s technical engineering and support services. Services include concept development, multi-discipline engineering and constructability studies, risk assessment and mitigation activities, utility engineering and coordination, scheduling, cost estimating, technical requirement development, and technical support for the program’s NEPA study.

Along with the grade-separated interchange, a new service road was provided to maintain access to residential and commercial properties.  In addition to the roadway improvements, WRA’s design included new bridge structures, retaining walls, and noise barriers; new pavement and pavement rehabilitation; reforestation; closed/open drainage systems; bicycle and pedestrian facilities; stormwater management quality and quantity facilities, erosion and sediment control; stream stabilization and relocation; signing, pavement markings, lighting and signalization; mainten

WRA developed the project goals, evaluation criteria, performance metrics, and procurement documents. We were responsible for the independent review of all traffic elements including traffic control devices, ITS elements and maintenance of traffic of each of the 17-individual design packages to ensure the design-build team’s plans complied with the RFP documents.   WRA also prepared independent detailed cost estimates.