The bridge will open in late July 2013. View a time-lapse video of a crane setting the bridge over I-40.
Project Managers:
North Carolina DOT Project : EL-2921E
Most Recent Project Updates
March 21, 2013: • I-40 Bridge: Crews are constructing forms for the bridge support beams so they can be poured with concrete.
• NC 54 south to Renaissance: Clearing is complete
• Renaissance south to Massey Chapel: The trail is complete.
• Massey Chapel: the retaining wall on the north shoulder will begin construction in April.
• Massey Chapel south to Chatham: The trail is complete.
December 12, 2012:
• I-40 Bridge: Crews have drilled and installed the 50 foot deep bridge support piers on the souths side of I-40 and have begun drilling on the north side
• NC 54 south to Renaissance: Clearing is complete
• Renaissance south to Massey Chapel: Surface asphalt is complete
• Massey Chapel south to Scott King: Surface asphale is complete
• Scott King Rd south to Chatham: Surface asphalt is complete
Previous Information Meetings for the Public
Monday, May 14;
Location: St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 NC 751, Durham
Tuesday, May 15;
Location :Triangle Presbyterian Church, 5001 Tudor Place, Durham Church Gymnasium
Thursday, May 17;
Location: 2nd Floor Committee Room, City Hall, 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham
Key Project Dates
Re-Advertisement for Bids: January 25, 2012
Pre-Bid Conference: February 7, 2012
Pre-Qualification Deadline: February 8, 2012
Bid Opening: February 22, 2012
Bridge Assembly in I-40 shoulder in early April, 2013
Bridge will be set in place over I-40 in late April, 2013
Anticipated date to open the trail: March, 2013
Anticipated date for bridge completion: July, 2013
Project History
November 2011
The Public Works Department re-advertised the request for construction bids on November 15, 2011. Re-bidding gives the City opportunities to look at cost saving measures, particularly with the bridge construction.
Bids on this project were first opened on July 15, 2011. The low bid of $7,753,042 submitted by Blythe Construction, Inc., was approximately $2 million more than the engineer's estimate and exceeded the funding for the project. Since there was more than 10 percent difference between the low bid and the engineer’s estimate, the bids could not be accepted and all bids were rejected.
Project Description
This project will extend the American Tobacco Trail from its current end point on NC-54 at Fayetteville Street to the Chatham County line. The length of trail to be constructed by this project is approximately 4.2 miles and includes a pedestrian bridge over I-40.
The pedestrian bridge will be located just west of Fayetteville Street and the connection to the trail heading south will be conveniently located at the Streets at Southpoint Mall.
The American Tobacco Trail is part of a much longer trail system which runs along the length of the east coast from Florida to Maine. The headquarters office for that trail has recently been relocated to Durham. The construction of this trail segment and bridge will be recognized nationally at it completes a key link in the east coast trail.
Funding for the project is being provided from a variety of sources including federal funds from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the City of Durham Sidewalk Bond fund.