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TextPedestrian Bridge at Long Branch Under Construction, Expected to be Completed by Early October
Fairfax County is about to replace a 330 foot pedestrian bridge across
the Long Branch stream valley at Pickett Road. The new bridge will be of
fiberglass construction, costing a fraction of a similar bridge made of
steel. It is only the second of its kind to be used in the county.
The bridge will be shipped in sections, and is manufactured by E.T.
Techtonics. It is made of fiber reinforced polymer components that will
provide the new bridge with a strength-to-weight ratio greater than
steel.
Demolition of the current 40-year old bridge is now underway. The
contractor, Environmental Quality Resources, mobilized last week to
establish erosion and sediment controls, including construction entrances
and temporary ramps to the work area which will be restored after the
project is completed.
The actual scope of this long-awaited project includes replacement of
the bridge, five support piers and restoration of the channel outfall in
the streambed. This channel restoration makes use of innovative natural
stream practices to repair the degraded channel, and will include
waterfalls and pools to slow down the current velocities, rock walls to
protect the bridge piers and the channel, and the use of indigenous
plantings along the banks. The pictures included in this article show the
obvious deterioration of the existing bridge.
This project has been under design for several years and required
significant utility relocations, permits from VDOT and the protection of
a gas line that did not appear on initial surveys. It will take
approximately 90 days and will be completed in early October, weather
permitting.
The bridge provides a significant pedestrian connection to Little Run
and Olde Creek Elementary Schools, Frost Middle School and Woodson High
School. It also facilitates direct access to Olde Forge Park.
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