Mayor Jones and U.S. Secretary LaHood Tour I-95 Bridge Restoration Project

Mayor Jones welcomed Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Richmond today for a first-hand look at the I-95 Bridges Restoration project. Nine of eleven bridges undergoing the restoration are in the city of Richmond.

Secretary LaHood, Mayor Jones and other state officials visited workers at the site of the Lombardy Street Bridge. “Anyone who has driven the Lombardy Street Bridge knows the amount of work that stretch of road has needed,” said Mayor Jones. “We welcome this infrastructure investment not only for the much needed road repairs, but for the jobs it brings to the area.”

“It is projects like this and others all across the country that will improve our infrastructure and spur economic growth,” said Secretary LaHood. “We have the best highway system in the world, and we need to keep it that way. Spending on roads and bridges is one of the wisest investments our nation can make.”

Construction on the seven-mile-long project began in late 2010 and is scheduled for completion in 2014. According to Archer Western Contractors, the project – which relies on $90 million in federal funds – is estimated to create jobs for approximately 130 workers. When completed, the project will improve safety for the route’s estimated 150,000 daily drivers and extend the lifespan of the bridges by at least 50 years.