Photo credit: www.nasa.gov

NASA Breaks Ground on New Causeway Bridge at Wallops Flight Facility

The NASA Wallops Flight Facility marked a significant milestone on April 14, 2025, by holding a groundbreaking ceremony to initiate construction of a new causeway bridge on Wallops Island. The event took place at 10 a.m. at the site of the old bridge, which has served as a critical link for access to and from the island.

In attendance were notable figures including Virginia State Senator Bill DeSteph and representatives from the offices of Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, and Senator Angela Alsobrooks. NASA Wallops Facility Director David Pierce, along with Ray Rubilotta, Associate Center Director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, represented the agency at the ceremony.

During the ceremony, David Pierce emphasized the bridge’s importance by stating, “Much has changed over the decades, but one thing that has remained the same is our reliance on the causeway bridge as the only means for vehicular access to and from the island. Our bridge supports a growing portfolio of commercial launch and government partners. The work we do advances science, technology, and national security missions. This vital work for our nation is enabled by our bridge.”

In 2023, NASA secured $103 million in federal funding aimed at fully constructing a new bridge to replace the existing 65-year-old structure. This current bridge has faced extensive wear and tear from coastal weather, and numerous repairs have been unable to prolong its operational lifespan effectively. As a result, it is now nearing the end of its service life.

The upcoming causeway bridge is projected to be completed by early 2028. Its design will include a flatter structure, enhancing its capacity to accommodate heavier loads that are increasingly required for operational support by NASA, its associated tenants, and commercial partners. This investment in infrastructure is critical to maintaining and expanding the capabilities of the launch range, reinforcing its significance both in Virginia and on a national scale.

Nasa is collaborating with the Federal Highway Administration to manage the design-build project, which has been awarded to Kokosing Construction Company, ensuring expertise in handling such significant infrastructure undertakings.

For additional details about NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, please visit www.nasa.gov/wallops.

Source
www.nasa.gov