The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE – Clifton Forge Council members were given information on the proposed Main Street bridge replacement Tuesday night during the council meeting held in the Clifton Forge Library.
The bridge which carries Main Street over Smith Creek is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2012.
In a letter to Town Manager Tracey Shiflett, Virginia Department of Transportation stated that the state is replacing a deteriorating bridge located in a complex area. “We have been working within the parameters established by the town of Clifton Forge of not taking any right of way, minimizing any temporary relocations and causing as little disruption to the local business community as possible.
“We also increased the length of the bridge so as not to interfere with future plans under the bridge by the town. This is a limited fund source project; the funds are greatly limited and it is not anticipated additional future funding from this fund source will be available.”
Some of the questions asked by the town and VDOT’s answers in part were:
The contractor, in addition to normal bonding, should be required to have specific bonds for damages to specific buildings and infrastructure in the work area.
VDOT’s said this type of requirement is not normally included in a VDOT construction contract. If the town believes this requirement is necessary, the town may want to consider assuming responsibility for the additional expense to provide this requirement.
Question: The contractor should be required to have an infrastructure protection and relocation plan. Not only is there infrastructure under the bridge, there are also some water pipes and underground electrical lines located in the bridge deck.
Answer: VDOT stated the contract documents will include a special provision for vibration monitoring to minimize negative impacts to the surrounding structures.
Question: It is believed that the decorative lights in the downtown area are on a looped circuit. Several of the lights are located on the bridge. The contractor should be required to ensure that the rest of the lights on the circuit continue to operate during construction.
Answer: VDOT said it is paramount that the town verify if this information is correct. If it is true, specifications can be written into the contract documents.
Question: The project will require turning Ridgeway, and possibly other streets, from one-way traffic to two-way traffic. To date, VDOT has not given any indication on how that will be accomplished or how existing businesses or parking patterns will be affected.
Answer: The design build team will prepare its maintenance of traffic plans as part of the project documentation. In previous discussions with the town, only Ridgeway Street was proposed to provide for temporary two-way traffic. Double parking would be a town enforcement issue as it is today prior to the project construction start date.
Question: In order to provide light to the area under the bridge, accommodations should be made to include light wells in the design.
Answer: The design for “skylights” is beyond the scope of this project and will not be a consideration at this stage of the project’s development.
In another item, council learned that the low bid of $78,170 by Alleghany Asphalt came in far below budgeted figure of $240,000. Town Manager Tracey Shiflett reported that the town could substantially expand the initial scope of the project and pave approximately two-thirds more square footage than initially planned. S. R. Draper Paving was high bidder with $106,788 and Adams Construction was next with $90,023.
O. T. Campbell, Public Works director, gave a written report on the rock slide on the slate cliff on Keswick Street.
The initial slide deposited approximately 10 cubic yards of very large rocks mixed with fine material on the street. The slide occurred at 3 p.m. Monday, March 29. The town hired William Nicely, a local excavation contractor, to remove loose material and dangerous rocks from the cliff face and to redirect water away from the cliff to prevent future slides.
Nicely with town crews cleared about 500 cubic yards of topsoil for the cemeteries and slate and clay fine material that is excellent roadbed and path material. The cliff was stabilized with silt fencing and hydro-seed and Jersey Barriers were installed at the base of the cliff to catch any additional debris that may fall. Clifton Forge turned Ridgeway Street into two way traffic for the four days of cleaning up the slide material.
Council approved a $100 donation for the annual Bike Rodeo sponsored by Allegany County Sheriff’s Office which will be held May 8 at the Main Street Park in Covington. Council also approved $100 for the After Prom event, for Alleghany High School and Covington High School coordinated and sponsored by the YMCA.
Council rescheduled a budget work session for Saturday at 10 a.m., at the Clifton Forge Public Library. Council also went into closed session after the regular meeting to discuss legal and personnel matters.
During the Hear the Public session Gary Price announced the opening of the Clifton Forge Little League season set for April 24 at 12 noon. The actual affair starts at 10:30 a.m., with many attractions including Dare programs, State Police and Sheriff’s Office.
There are over 325 children in the program.
One feature this year will be Preston Reid providing leadership for a CFLL challenger program for children with mental or physical constraints and the team made up of Clifton Forge and Covington players playing a team from Roanoke on opening day.
Debby Faulkenbury told council that the six tents have been delivered for the opening day of of the Farmer’s Market Friday, May 14 at 7 a.m. until about 1 p.m. The market will be located on the Keswick Street Parking Lot and is sponsored by Clifton Forge Main Street.
Covington will open its Farmer’s Market on Saturday May l5.
John Hillert announced that the Masonic Theatre will have a meeting for interested people to give their views and suggestions for the theatre Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Rick Tabb, executive director of the C&O Historical Society announced that a picnic shelter is now being built and the railroad station is progressing.
Railroad Days will be held May 8 in Clifton Forge.
