THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 27, 1994 TAG: 9409270400
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
Repairs to the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, which was damaged by runaway barges during a northeaster last Thursday, could begin Wednesday if a contract is signed today, highway officials said Monday.
Under the proposed contract, a construction company would repair the damage inflicted on the James River crossing when a tugboat apparently lost control of nine barges carrying sand and gravel. No damage estimate has been made public.
Repairs will include patching a crack in one of the pier caps, refilling holes in pilings, fixing a wall and replacing a light pole.
Virginia Department of Transportation officials could not say how long the repairs would take, but said that one northbound lane on the bridge would remain closed until they are complete.
KEYWORDS: STORMS BRIDGES BARGES by CNB