VDOT's project from Hell - I-81 in Bristol

Expansion of I-81 in Bristol - a 5-mile stretch - is one major example of  Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) management's ineptness and waste of tax dollars without accountability.

It is being built at almost a mile a year.  It is 2 years behind schedule.  It is 50% over budget.  A fraud investigation is underway, but no one wants to discuss it "until the project is finished."  One bridge suffered such major structural problems, tearing it down and starting over was considered, but instead it was repaired (the pier caps that held the bridge up were faulty).  That 'repair' added considerably to the delay of the project.

Highway from Hell - by the numbers
Original VDOT Cost Estimate of 5 Mile Highway in Southwestern Virginia	$40,400,000
Current projected cost	$61,000,000
Current cost overrun	$20,400,000
Overrun in terms of percent	51%
Cost per mile	$12,200,000
Cost per foot	$2,310
School lunches bought with cost overruns @ $1.50 per lunch	13,600,000
School computers bought with cost overruns @ $900 per computer	22,667
Start date	1998
Original projected completion date	2000
Current completion date	Unknown
Road feet completed per project hour	2.53
Since 1998, almost one mile per year	5 Miles
Current vehicle usage per day	50,000

I-81 was built in Bristol 35 years ago and much of the problems today have to do with poor design and construction back then.

The design consulting firm on the current project is Dewberry & Davis of Fairfax.  They have reportedly been given another job in southwestern Virginia.  One VDOT spokesperson said there are complaints about the firm. VDOT says the investigation was initiated at its request.  A spokesman for the state attorney general's office said the investigation was requested by some of the contractors/consultants on the job.

VDOT will not discuss details of the investigation of the costly, long-delayed project, but sources inside the agency  since it began - an engineer said, the project  has been one disaster after another.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Do you have a favorite highway horror story?  If so email Editor@Virginianewssource.com or call 757-340-4686 with details.  VDOT employees' reporting fraud, waste, & abuse by VDOT will be given full confidentiality protection by VNS.  

See also:  Taxpayer's Alliance holds press conference @ VDOT

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