The Virginia Department of Transportation says it will install studs on the grid deck of the James River Bridge to improve safety after a high number of crashes since the new deck was completed in December.

The grid deck saw 20 crashes from February through early July 2013, according to VDOT’s assistant district administrator for operations, Dwayne Cook. That’s more than the number of crashes on the deck in the six previous years combined.

According to information provided by the office of Isle of Wight Sheriff Mark A. Marshall, the crashes occurred in wet conditions after vehicles lost control on the slippery grid deck.

“Considering the alarming totals so far this year alone, it is reasonable to conclude that the recent grid-deck replacement installation must be reviewed and, if necessary, corrected as soon as possible,” Marshall wrote to VDOT Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley earlier in July.

VDOT says most crashes, at least one of which was fatal, were in southbound lanes, and most involved a light truck or SUV. About 30,000 vehicles traverse the bridge without incident daily.

VDOT says traffic on the bridge other than on the grid deck is on track to have its safest year on record. The spike in crashes has been on the deck only.

Deck studs head several safety options identified in a three-month evaluation of the bridge prompted by the increased crashes.

“The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the crashes that occurred on the James River Bridge grid deck in 2013 and the factors that were involved with each crash, as well as to identify if any further actions could be taken to heighten motorists’ safety on our infrastructure,” Jim Utterback, VDOT Hampton Roads district administrator, stated in a news release.

But motorists often criticize the studs, which increase tire wear.

VDOT’s evaluation of the bridge deck’s roadway surface and a safety audit of the structure began in May. During the study, the posted speed limited on the grid deck was lowered from 55 to 45 mph during inclement weather, and VDOT asked the Virginia State Police to patrol the bridge at peak times when poor weather was forecast.

Possible crash factors were examined, including driving behavior, mechanical failures and roadway shortcomings.

“While no traffic safety deficiencies were found, Cook noted that a variety of options were identified that could heighten standard safety measures and motorist awareness,” the release states.

Options other than the studs include electronic overhead message signs to lower the speed limit during poor weather, continuing the presence of state troopers during those times, and “Slippery When Wet” and “Stay in Lane” signs.

Another option identified is to keep monitoring crashes to evaluate how any safety strategies are working, and traffic-calming devices could also be necessary.

The study also involved skid testing of the grid deck in wet and dry conditions. VDOT’s assistant district administrator for maintenance stated the analysis found “no structural deficiencies or abnormalities.”

“However, we will continue to study the grid deck for contributing factors and evaluate ways to help increase the traction for vehicles on the deck’s surface, thereby increasing motorist safety,” John Jacobs added.

Other options for the grid deck include roughening the surface, adding two-foot wide concrete strips beneath the wheel lines, and applying a metal coating, according to Jacobs.

Stud installation, which VDOT identified as the best action to take, will begin in late summer or early fall, will take about three months and will cost about $800,000.

“By installing the additional traction and implementing further traffic safety measures, we can help provide an added level of security for motorists utilizing the James River Bridge,” Utterback stated.