I-81 over Route 11, NSRR and Middle Fork Holston River Design-Build

Atkins, Virginia

ORDERS Construction served as the Design-Build Lead Contractor for the replacement of the I-81 bridges over Route 11, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, and the Middle Fork Holston River in Atkins, Virginia. Delivered for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the $29 million project required careful coordination and phased construction to maintain traffic flow along one of the region’s busiest interstate corridors while safely executing bridge, roadway, and drainage work.

Innovation and risk mitigation were key components of the project from the earliest stages of design. Due to the area’s known karst geology, ORDERS Construction partnered closely with Whitman, Requardt & Associates to evaluate foundation alternatives for each substructure element. The final design incorporated micro-piles for the pier foundations and driven piles at the abutments, creating a tailored approach that balanced constructability, risk reduction, and long-term performance.

Construction sequencing played a critical role in the project’s success. The work was completed in three primary phases, beginning with the construction of a new bridge section within the median along with temporary roadway and drainage improvements to support traffic shifts. Northbound traffic was transitioned onto the newly constructed detour while the existing northbound structure was replaced, followed by a similar process for the southbound structure. This phased approach allowed the team to maintain capacity and minimize disruptions throughout construction.

The project presented unique logistical challenges, as the structures crossed a major roadway, an active railroad line, and a river simultaneously. ORDERS Construction successfully coordinated all activities while maintaining a strong safety focus and delivering the project on schedule in May 2022. The project highlights the team’s expertise in complex bridge replacement projects, innovative design-build delivery, and construction in environmentally and geologically sensitive conditions.

Project Highlights

• Client: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)

• Design Partner: Whitman, Requardt & Associates

• Contract Value: Approximately $29 Million

• Completion Date: May 2022

• Challenges: Karst geology, phased interstate traffic management, railroad coordination, and river crossing construction

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