Email update November 29,2016:
Bridge Groupies and Fans of the Kingfish:
Just a quick update from the Bridge Guru – Chris W, project manager – that explains yesterday’s lane closure and a few other details. Using that smooth, chatty, engineer style of conversing that he is known for, Cap’n Chris explains what is going on this week at your nearby friendly bridge structure. Just facts, no laughs. Parse and ponder each word . . . . .
Feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.
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 interest and patience throughout this project. So . . . enjoy this time of the year as you prepare for the holidays . . . . look out for each other, and put the phone down while you’re driving.
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353**********************************************************************************************
To All:
The first phase of the two-phased traffic switch over to the new westbound Lesner Bridge took place on Friday, November 11th, when we moved the westbound Shore Drive traffic over to the new bridge. The second phase will involve temporarily moving the eastbound Shore Drive traffic also over to the new westbound bridge. Once we move all traffic off of both old bridges we will begin the demolition process in preparation for construction of the new eastbound Lesner Bridge.
In order to move the eastbound Shore Drive traffic to the new bridge, we have to widen the pavement on the new bridge approaches and build the pavement transitions at the Shore Drive/East Stratford Street and Shore Drive/Vista Circle intersections.
This work will require single lane closures on eastbound Shore Drive for the next several weeks. Beginning yesterday (Monday), and continuing through this Friday, December 2nd, a single lane closure will be in place on eastbound Shore Drive between Dupont Circle and Lesner Bridge between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Once this switch is made traffic will remain in this temporary condition until the new eastbound bridge is built. The following snapshots from the contract plans show what drivers can expect these temporary traffic lanes to look like at these two intersections:
Phase 4 Temporary Traffic Pattern at Shore Drive and East Stratford Street
Phase 4 Temporary Traffic Pattern at Shore Drive and Vista Circle
Additional updates will be sent out as this work progresses and me move closer to the switchover date for the eastbound Shore Drive traffic.
Please be patient and drive safely through this active construction zone!
– 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 westbound view taken 930am November 29th 2016
#WeLoveShoreDrive 
Could we please have an update on a new completion date. Also, why is rust running down the side of the bridge where the light poles are located? Bob