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Delay to I-95 bridge work, leads to rush-hour traffic backup

Posted at 1:20 PM, Sep 12, 2012
and last updated 2012-09-12 14:34:09-04

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) -- Traffic was at a near standstill along part of Interstate 95 in Richmond during the morning rush hour. It was one of several times crews have worked beyond their allowed time, which made some motorists late to work or school.

Traffic was backed up for several miles, after contractors repairing the Hermitage Road bridge worked past the 6 a.m. cutoff hour. Although the work went over time the contractors were finish by 7 a.m., which is the hour a fine would have been enforced.

Dawn Eischen with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said the contractors were attempting to replace a bridge section, when they ran into some adjustment issues.

Now the contractors have to present a plan to VDOT, detailing how they plan to prevent a similar situation from recurring.

"When the contractors are on the road past six, it is a problem not just for commuters but we see it as a problem as well," said Eischen. "That's why we have to meet with them today or tomorrow--before they get out on the road Thursday night definitely--because until they can present some kind of plan that demonstrates they will be out of the road by rush hour we can't let them back out there."

The contractors have been making bridge repairs in the area since 2010. In that time span Eischen said they have been fined at least three times. The most recent happened in July, when they had to pay $43,000 for not finishing in time.

Construction to the major I-95 bridges is expected to be complete by 2014.