Bridge over troubled waters?

Work on the Robertson Bridge expansion has been delayed until 2011, prompting Delegate Danny Marshall to meet with key Virginia Department of Transportation officials to find a way to keep the project on track.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board announced late last week that $3 billion set aside for projects would go for maintenance. That would move the construction start for the $36 million Robertson Bridge back at least one year.

“We’re not taking it at face value,” Marshall, R-Danville, said Monday.

He said there are other options on the table to keep the bridge renovation from getting behind. City officials said the work needs to be done to prevent serious traffic snarls as stores open in the Piedmont Drive area.

One option would let the city work with a contractor who could build the new five-lane bridge based on available funds.

Marshall said another plan would be to explore innovative ways to complete the project. He said he would know more details after the meeting.

Mayor Sherman Saunders is not only concerned about traffic congestion along Robertson Bridge, but also a rising price tag because of inflation. The new bridge was originally priced at $50 million, a figure that was too expensive, and would have connected directly to Park Avenue.

Saunders said the city still could not afford to pay for the latest proposal without going into serious debt. He said financing the project through bonds would be costly and could hurt Danville’s bond rating.

The mayor, however, said the bridge expansion is important and it’s vital to find a way to fund it.

“Danville is making progress,” Saunders said. “Robertson Bridge is a major thoroughfare in Danville. I travel across it several times a week. I see how that traffic is held up.

“Delaying this project would have a negative impact on economic development, especially retail.”

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.