VDOT says SPSA Route 58 flyover is about three months behind; girders planned for mid‑October

Virginia Department of Transportation officials updated the Southeastern Public Service Authority board on June 25 about construction of the Route 58 flyover that will carry eastbound traffic directly into the SPSA landfill, saying the contractor is about three months behind the original schedule but the project remains on budget.

The update came from Joe Ludwig, district construction engineer for VDOT, and Chris Watovich, VDOT area construction engineer, who described ongoing pile driving, placement of concrete footers and columns, and work on drainage and the teardrop area adjacent to the landfill entrance. "The contractor is tracking roughly three months behind schedule for their schedule," Ludwig said, adding that a July 31 milestone for substantial completion is incentivized with an incentive/disincentive clause.

Ludwig told the board construction began after a notice to proceed in July, with preconstruction in August and significant winter clearing and environmental control work. Crews are working simultaneously on both sides of Route 58 and have mobilized cranes and additional crews to recover time. VDOT said Abutment A and Pier 1 footings and columns have been poured, Pier 3 pile installation is complete and piers are being poured, and 10 of 18 piles at Abutment B have been driven.

VDOT said weather and a high groundwater table in a swampy area have made parts of the site difficult to access and required pumping and extra erosion-and-sediment controls. The project also required a change order to add turbidity monitoring after a new DEQ construction permit came into effect. Ludwig said the contractor, Crowder Engineering, has submitted a value‑engineering proposal for changing abutment backfill materials; VDOT estimates the change will save about $677,000 in total, with the contract specification splitting savings so the net reduction to the project is roughly $338,000.

VDOT staff said traffic control remains a significant challenge on the heavily traveled corridor. Eastbound Route 58 currently has a right‑lane closure that reduces three lanes to two during work; the city of Suffolk has allowed lane closures outside peak hours that VDOT said have helped. Work‑zone speed cameras were installed earlier in the month and were in a warning/grace period at the time of the update.

A major upcoming milestone is placement of the steel girders across Route 58. Ludwig said girder erection is scheduled for mid‑October and will require an overnight closure of Route 58 with a detour; VDOT will coordinate the detour with the city of Suffolk. He also said the contractor has submitted notices of intent to file claims on a few items related to traffic control and access; VDOT staff said the agency does not believe the notices have merit but that the contractor reserves the right to pursue claims.

The presentation noted the substantial completion milestone is being monitored closely, and VDOT staff said the contractor submitted an improvement plan that VDOT is reviewing to regain schedule. Ludwig said there were no major budget overruns at the time of the update and that the department is tracking a few normal, relatively small adjustments for erosion‑control fencing and similar items.

The board heard the update during its regular meeting; VDOT took questions from members and confirmed it will continue close coordination with SPSA and the city of Suffolk as the project moves to girder erection and other major milestones.