The Shadow
Construction of a pad-ready economic development site in the Alleghany Regional Commerce Center could begin next spring, according to an engineering firm overseeing the project.
“We are looking to begin moving dirt next spring,” said Gary Johnson, an engineer with the Richmond-based Timmons Group said Tuesday.
Representatives from the engineering firm updated Covington City Council on several projects, including bridge safety, safety issues on U.S. Route 220 and the replacement of the Rayon Bridge.
Covington and Alleghany County are developing a pad-ready economic development site in the Commerce Center, located near Low Moor. The site is being developed under a revenue-sharing agreement ratified by the localities in August of 2017.
The agreement calls the county and city to share in the cost of economic development sites. The localities would also share in revenues derived from the projects.
The pad-ready site in the Commerce Center will be approximately 35 acres. It will be capable of accommodating a building of 500 to 700 square feet in size.
The Alleghany County-Covington Industrial Development Authority has agreed to issue up to $2.2 million in bonds to finance the project. The bonds will be issued through Highlands Community Bank.
Work on replacing the Rayon Bridge in Covington is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2024. The Timmons Group is now performing preliminary engineering work.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board approved $14 million in funding for the project in June. Construction will cost $12.8 million. The rest of the money will cover engineering costs and right-of-way acquisition.
The current bridge will remain in place while the new structure is built so that traffic will continue to flow through the Rayon area.
“The existing bridge will maintain traffic until the new bridge is done,” Johnson said.
The Timmons group recently inspected two bridges on South Carpenter Drive. One of the bridges, near Covington Bible Church, crosses CSX Railroad Property. The other bridge, near Whitey’s, spans the Jackson River.
“Both of these bridges, I would say, given their age, are in very good condition,” said Brian Wright, an engineer who specializes in bridge design and construction.
The safety study on U.S. Route 220 focused on a 3-mile area from Cucci Pizzeria to the city limits above the WestRock paper mill.
The study revealed several issues involving sight distance, signage and pavement markings.
The study said 39 percent of vehicle accidents in the section of roadway involve rear-end collisions — the state average is 32 percent. The roadway also has a high number of truck crashes.
The Timmons Group is assisting the city in obtaining grant funding under the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternative Program. That program focuses on projects that promote bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Two projects being evaluated are replacing sidewalks between Beech Street and Pine Street, and enhancing pedestrian safety in an area at McAllister Presbyterian Church. The intersection of Route 220 (Alleghany Avenue) with Highland Avenue is also under consideration for pedestrian safety improvements.
City Manager Krystal Onaitis said a grant application was filed with VDOT on July 1, which was well ahead of the deadline.
