Contract awarded for Wellington overpass

By: Bennie Scarton Jr. | Inside NoVA
Published: August 30, 2010

GAINESVILLE --

An overpass that state and local officials say is necessary to ease traffic congestion near railroad tracks in Manassas is moving further toward reality.
General Contractor Flippo Construction Co. with offices in Forestville, Md., and Alexandria, has been awarded a $15,094,000 contract for the Va. 28 overpass above the railroad tracks and Wellington Road for 382 feet with four lanes.
The project,which has been in the planning stages for more than a decade, is scheduled to be completed in November 2012.
Also, in that same area Martin and Gass Inc. of Alexandria has been awarded a $5,900,000 contract for the widening of Wellington Road from Va. 28 to Godwin Drive.
That construction work has already started with the clearing of brush along the highway.
The road will be widened to four lanes with curb and gutter as well.
The project will also see the extension of Ashton Avenue to connect with Wellington and the closing of Cockrell Road near American Legion Post 10.
In still another road project in Manassas, work is scheduled to start shortly on adding two gates on the Main Street railroad crossing in Old Town. This will prevent cars from going around one gate when it is down.
This project is part of a $250,000 joint project with the city and Norfolk Southern to allow for the reinstating of a “Quiet Zone” in Manassas in which trains would not blow a whistle at intersections during the hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
An estimated three to five freight trains pass through on certain nights.
Residents along the tracks have complained that the loud whistles keep them awake.
According to Manassas Mayor Harry “Hal” Parrish II “residents along the tracks are now getting a good night sleep.”
Nichalos D. Gardner, assistant director of Public Works for the city, said motorists can expect some traffic tie-ups and detours during the work on the three projects, “including the closing of Main Street for three to five days.”
Manassas City Manager Lawrence D. Hughes said the overpass and Wellington Road improvement projects “will be a real transportation asset not just for Manassas but for all the motorists who use them.”
Some 25,000 vehicles use Va. 28 each day and upwards of 14 freight trains cross over it.
Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703 369-6707.

Contract awarded for Wellington overpass

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