Dedication Of The New Chincoteague Draw Bridge Will Be Held Staturday

CHINCOTEAGUE -- Those who attend the Saturday dedication of the new Chincoteague drawbridge will witness the formal completion of the project and have a chance to own a piece of history.

The Virginia Department of Transportation, which is organizing the 11 a.m. dedication at Robert Reed Park near the island library, will distribute commemorative keepsake plaques recognizing the event.

The plaques, which are 5 by 7 inches, will contain a piece of the old bridge. There will be 1,000 available and will be distributed while supplies last.

"We're hoping that every family will have an opportunity to have a piece of the old bridge," said Nora Chivers, VDOT spokesperson. "It's a piece of history."

Expected at the dedication will be state and local officials, including members of the state transportation board.

From noon-2 p.m., the public will be able to walk on the old swing drawbridge that is being replaced and have photos taken on it. The photos will be available on a website following the event.

The new bridge opened to traffic at 7:41 p.m. on April 1 after decades of planning and a $70 million construction project that lasted more than three years.

It replaces two bridges built in 1939 and 1940, which along with the causeway connected Chincoteague with the mainland.

The first bridge connecting the island to the mainland was finished in 1922.

The old drawbridge will remain open until the Marsh Island Connector is complete. Then it will be removed, Chivers said.

The bridge dedication is being held in conjunction with the island's annual Chili and Chowder Cook-off, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Reed park.

The park provides a view of the past and present for those at the bridge dedication.

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New Chincoteague Bridge Grand Opening

The Grand Opening Ceremony of the new Chincoteague Bridge on September 25 could become an annual event drawing people from all ends of the country. Currently, talks surrounding the event are focusing on creating an annual Chincoteague Marathon to honor the bridge.

Joe Lowry, a consultant of VDOT, said there are currently 3 different plans being discussed, but the one being seriously considered is the marathon. The marathon would be a half marathon, or roughly 13.1 miles, and would be sanctioned by the National Track Association. Lowry predicted the marathon could become a large off-season event which would held businesses on the Eastern Shore after the summer tourism season ends.

Along with the marathon there would be a health and fitness expo where residents and runners could learn how more about staying healthy. Vendors would take part in the event.

Lowry predicted an event such as this would draw up to 1,000 runners. The entry fee would be between $25 and $35 per runner. To set up the marathon and hire medical personel would cost approximately $10,300.

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New Chincoteague Bridge Open Today

The new Chincoteague Bridge is set to open today. The one mile long bridge crosses Black Narrows and Lewis Creek Channel and will connect to Chincoteague Island at Maddox Boulevard. The new stoplight is also set to begin full functionality today with green meaning go yellow meaning caution, and red meaning stop for motorists traveling on both Maddox Boulevard and Main Street.

The bridge has been in the works for several years and has cost an estimated $70 million. The new bridge is 40 feet wide, with two driving lanes. More than 500,000 work hours have been put into the construction.

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Chincoteague Bridge Gets New Traffic Signal Installed

On Monday, March 15, the Virginia Department of Transportation will activate a new traffic signal at the intersection of Main Street and Maddox Boulevard. This signal has been placed at the foot of the Chincoteague Bridge to help with traffic control.

Beginning on March 16, the signal will temporarily flash red for all directions to stop. While this signal pattern is in place, all approaching traffic is to stop, yield to the right of way, and then proceed with caution.

On March 25, the traffic signal will change to flashing yellow for Maddox Boulevard and red for Main Street. Motorists traveling on Maddox Boulevard are to yield and then proceed with caution, while traffic on Main Street will be required to stop and then proceed with caution.

On April 2, the traffic signal will be completely activated with green (go), yellow (caution), and red (stop) functionality for motorists traveling on both Maddox Boulevard and Main Street.

The signal has been installed as part of the Chincoteague Bridge Project. The new mainline Chincoteague Bridge is scheduled for completion by April 2. The Marsh Island connector bridge is scheduled for completion by September of 2010. The entire project, including demolition of the existing bridges, is scheduled for completion by December 2010. Currently, the project is within budget.

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