September 29th 2015 update:

To All Lesner Bridge Aficionados:

As I cling to the last few days of summer, the latest update about the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project from the bridge wizard and project manager, Chris Wojtowicz, crosses my desk. If you are interested at all in the Lesner Bridge project, this is must reading.

Work at the bridge is picking up momentum and things are changing weekly. If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out what is going on there, please do so. It really is quite impressive.

Below is the latest collection of news and snappy photos. Feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch this construction sequence animation, please check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBGfmBs6Efw&feature=youtu.be

As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.

If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them. Please feel free to pass this along to others.

Thanks again for all of your patience throughout this project. Enjoy the Indian summer as we ease into cooler days and nights. And please – no one say the word “snow.”

Take care, and stay safe.

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach

dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

It’s been a while since the last update and, as many of you have seen, a lot has happened since then as the bridge begins to take shape.

The first bridge segment was installed for the westbound bridge on August 21st. Since that time both pier segments (Pier #1) and the abutment segment (Abutment A) have been set on their bearings, sealed, and post-tensioned. The remaining 14 segments for span 1 of 10 have been loaded into the launching gantry and are currently being readied to be set into position. Post-tensioning and gluing of these span 1 segments will begin on or about October 1st, and will continue into the first week of November.

Bridge Segment at Abutment A (Westbound Bridge)

Bridge Segments at Pier #1 (Westbound Bridge)

Span 1 Bridge Segments in Ready Position (Westbound Bridge)

All of the segments for spans 2, 3, and 4 have been cast for the westbound bridge. The segments for span 2 of the bridge are now beginning to arrive at the project site and are being stored in the laydown yard behind the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps. Installation of these span 2 segments will begin in November and continue into the first week of December.

All of the drilled shaft foundations for the westbound bridge have been completed. The footing for Pier #4 has been partially placed and the seal slabs for Piers #5 and #6 have been delivered to the project and are being readied for placement at the respective footings. The cofferdam at Pier #7 has been installed and is being prepared for installing the footing formwork. The cofferdams and footings for Piers #8 and #9 will be installed in early 2016.

Seal Slabs for Pier Footings #5 and #6 (Westbound Bridge)

Cofferdam at Pier #7 (Westbound Bridge)

The second of three concrete pours at Abutment B (next to the former Duck Inn property) took place on August 19th, 2015. The final concrete placement at Abutment B will take place next Thursday, October 1st. The forms will be stripped the week of October 12th, and the MSE wall located adjacent to Abutment B will be completed by October 23rd.

Backwall Reinforcing Steel and Formwork for Abutment B (Westbound Bridge)

AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the new bridge segments. A total of 73 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast. They are currently casting out the center span (Span #5) of the westbound bridge.

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:

Ø Post-Tension and glue the bridge segments in span 1 of 10

Ø Complete the footing for Pier #4

Ø Complete the footing for Pier #6

Ø Grade the footing for Pier #7

Ø Complete construction of Abutment B

Ø Begin waterline installation work on the east side of the bridge near Page Avenue and Shore Drive

That’s it for now. Drive safely!

– Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Screen shot of Construction Cam photo taken September 26th 1 hour 10 minutes before high tide at Virginia Pilot Station.