Waterloo Bridge Update

Julie Bolthouse, Fauquier Field Officer

Historical Significance

Historical Significance

Photo Credit: C. Hanchey

Cultural Significance

Photo Credit: Richard Deardoff

Photo Credit: Eugene Reid

Scenic Value

Edward Payne Photography

Timeline

October 2013 – VDOT mentions need to discuss repair/replacement at Fauquier Transportation Meeting

November 2013 – Facebook page “Save Waterloo Bridge” is created by students at Kettle Run High School

Timeline

VDOT postpones Transportation Meeting discussion till January 29th

Then bridge is closed without warning on January 15th, 2014

Timeline

In April 2014VDOT putsreplacementof bridge onSYIP withaddedcapacity

Timeline

In April 2014VDOT putsreplacementof bridge onSYIP withaddedcapacity

Timeline

In May 2014 Preservation Virginia lists Waterloo Bridge as one of the Most Endangered Places

Timeline

• July 2014 PEC, Fauquier, and Culpeper commission a study which concludes rehabilitation is feasible and would cost around $1.8 million

• October 2014 VDOT commissions a study that concludes rehabilitation is feasible but would cost $4.3 million

Timeline

Counties andVDOT meetto discussstudies…

60% Construction Cost vs. 38% Construction Cost

Timeline

February 2015VDOT puts upwebpagesaying aworking groupwill beestablished…

Timeline

October 2015 PEC requests meeting withCounties to get update…

nothing has happened.

So what’s the hold up?

• VDOT’s inflated “soft” costs• Determining a funding source• Staff changes in Culpeper and Supervisor

changes in Fauquier• Project simply not taking priority

What would it take…

• Prioritizing project• Making it a “Revenue Share” project• Reduction of VDOT’s inflated “soft” costs• Private Funding or Grants

Prioritizing Project

No funding till 2019…

Revenue Share

• Entire project - 50% covered by localities and 50% covered by VDOT

• Supplemental funding for prioritized projects listed in the adopted Six Year Plan

Reduction of VDOT’s “soft” costWould take intervention by the Commonwealth Transportation Board…

possible but unlikely

Private Funding and Grants

Private funding could be used to supplement county’s share of a revenue share project

We have not identified a grant thatthis bridge would be eligible for at this time

What can we do?

Keep the pressure on VDOT and the Counties!– Write letters and meet with elected officials– Share your stories and sentiments in local

newspapers, during citizen’s time at public hearings, and on social media

– Put up a yard sign– Sign our petition (over 1000 signatures so far)– Spread the word!

Questions?

Julie BolthouseFauquier County Field Officer

Piedmont Environmental Councilwww.pecva.org45 Horner St.Warrenton, VA 20186540-347-2334 ext. 7042