#LESNERBRIDGE in 2 photos
Author Archives: Tim
NEW INFO ABOUT #LESNERBRIDGE FOR TONIGHT
From email from Wojo:
I want to post another Bridge Update for today to alert folks what to expect during this evening’s traffic switch.
The traffic switch that will take place tonight, August 30th on Lesner Bridge will be performed in several stages with a lot of activity taking place at the intersections of Shore Drive/Vista Circle/Page Avenue and Shore Drive/East Stratford Road. Here are some additional details to let you all know what to expect.
Beginning at 8:00 PM this evening single lane closures will be set up at both the Shore Drive/East Stratford Rd and Shore Drive/Vista Circle/Page Avenue intersections. At this time Shore Drive will be reduced to A SINGLE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION as crews work in the intersections and median areas to eradicate old pavement markings and place the new ones. Workers will also be in bucket trucks adjusting traffic signal heads and preparing for the removal of the old traffic signal pole located at Shore Drive and Page Avenue.
Stage 1 of 8/30/2018 the Lesner Bridge Traffic Switch
PLEASE DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY through these two intersections while this work is taking place. Since there will be a short time that both traffic signals will be down while we switch to the new signals. During this time Virginia Beach Police will be assisting in maintaining the flow of traffic on Shore Drive on both ends of the bridge.
The single lane of eastbound Shore Drive traffic will be moved onto the new eastbound bridge once the new pavement markings have been placed. The westbound single lane of traffic will be maintained on the westbound bridge through this next stage of the traffic switch. Again, workers will be eradicating old pavement markings and placing new ones in preparation for the new traffic pattern.
Stage 2 of 8/30/2018 the Lesner Bridge Traffic Switch
Once all of the new pavement markings are down and the new traffic signals adjusted, the eastbound LEFT LANE will be re-opened to traffic and allowed to cross the new eastbound bridge. The LEFT LANE of the westbound traffic will also be re-opened and SHIFTED along with the RIGHT LANE to the southernmost lanes on the westbound bridge. THESE LANE SHIFTS WILL BE COMPLETED BY 5:00 AM FRIDAY, AUGUST 31st. Both bridges will remain in this traffic condition for the next several months while the new 10-foot wide multi-use path is built across the westbound bridge.
Stage 3 of 8/30/2018 the Lesner Bridge Traffic Switch
Pedestrians/cyclists who wish to use the new 10-foot wide multiuse path on the eastbound bridge located next to the new scenic overlook will be allowed to cross the new eastbound Lesner Bridge after 5:00 PM today, August 30th 2018, once crews finish sweeping and clearing the pedestrian areas. Please note that after the traffic switch, pedestrians will not be allowed to use the westbound bridge until construction of the new sidewalk/path is completed.
Finally, we want to make sure that everybody understands that the paving of the bridge approaches is not yet complete and that there may be some minor items of work taking place after the traffic is switched (i.e. painting, handrail adjustments, joint sealing, light adjustments, etc). The asphalt surface mix still has to be placed on both bridge approaches and is why you will notice a small lip of concrete along the concrete gutter pans and a small wedge of asphalt as you cross onto the concrete bridge deck. The pavement markings on eastbound Shore Drive at Vista Circle are also temporary and does not reflect what the ultimate travel lanes will look like once the project is complete (the RIGHT THRU LANE and RIGHT TURN LANE ONLY LANE have been combined into a single THRU RIGHT LANE). The reason for this is that we need still perform some median work before building out this fourth lane.
[This] figure shows how these lanes will look on eastbound Shore Drive at Vista Circle once we complete the project:
Finally, this is a word of caution to users of East Stratford Road who are leaving the Chesapeake House or 3556 On The Bay Condominiums. For the past several years drivers have gotten used to the temporary traffic pattern and have been making a LEFT TURN from southbound East Stratford Road onto eastbound Shore Drive and crossing the WESTBOUND LESNER BRIDGE. After this traffic switch drivers making this same LEFT TURN have pay attention to the new pavement markings and make sure that they enter eastbound Shore Drive and cross the EASTBOUND LESNER BRIDGE. Habits are sometimes hard to change, even with the new signage and pavement markings, so we just want to put this word of caution out there so that nobody ends up the wrong way on the westbound bridge!
PLEASE USE SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION TONIGHT WHEN TRAVELLING THROUGH THE LESNER BRIDGE CORRIDOR!
Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend!
-Chris
Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction 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
New traffic pattern Thursday August 30th #LESNERBRIDGE
Latest update!
On July 6, 2018 the last segment of the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project was set in the new eastbound bridge.
Last Segment being placed in the new Eastbound Lesner Bridge
On Saturday, July 28, 2018 Virginia Beach Public Arts dedicated “The Canoes” sculpture located in the scenic overlook of the new eastbound Lesner Bridge.
“The Canoes” Sculpture (Artist: Donald Lipski) Dedicated by Virginia Beach Public Arts
And on Thursday, August 30th, 2018 traffic will be moved to the new eastbound Lesner Bridge. We have all waited four years for this major milestone in the project and we are excited to deliver our newest piece of infrastructure to the citizens of Virginia Beach and all users of Shore Drive. This traffic switch will also include pedestrians wanting to cross the Lynnhaven Inlet.
Here are the details:
Beginning approximately 8:00 PM on Thursday August 30th, traffic control will be installed on each side of the bridge; on Shore Drive at East Stratford Road and on Shore Drive at Page Avenue and Vista Circle. Once the old pavement markings at these intersections have been removed and replaced with the new ones the eastbound Shore Drive traffic will be moved to the new bridge.
After moving the eastbound Shore Drive traffic, the westbound Shore Drive traffic will be shifted over to the south side of the westbound bridge.
The traffic switch will be completed by 5:00 AM Friday morning, August 31 2018.
The Contractor is currently preparing the eastbound bridge and approaches for this traffic switch. The gantry has been dismantled and removed, railings are beiing installed, the bridge deck has been planed and grooved, the remaining street lights are being prepared for installation, guardrail installation is nearing completion, traffic signals are being adjusted, and pavement markings for the bridge and approaches are scheduled for tomorrow, August 29th. We are just hoping that the weather will cooperate with this schedule.
Deck and Multi-use path of the new Eastbound Lesner Bridge
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
§ Remove temporary concrete barrier wall and chain link screening from the westbound bridge;
§ Begin building the new traffic barrier on the westbound bridge;
§ Continue work on the seawall located near the Virginia Pilots Association;
§ Continue installation of the bridge aesthetic lighting (necklace and pier column lights); and
§ Continue the bridge painting.View Looking Northeast at Bridge Engineers Inspecting the new Eastbound Lesner Bridge
There will be a lot of work taking place Thursday evening, so please drive carefully.
Have a Wonderful and Safe Labor Day Weekend!
-Chris
Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction 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
ACOE will not hold a Public Hearing re: Lesner Municipal Wharf
STR discussion at City Council Informal Aug 7th vid
ROUTE 35 SHUTTLE RIDERSHIP MORE THAN DOUBLES FROM LAST YEAR !
Woo hoo !
Coverage at 13 News Now includes vid.
New numbers provided by the city say ridership from June 2017 to June 2018 has shot up 113%. A breakdown translates to about 3,000 trips by riders increasing to a little more than 6,000.
“It’s where we as locals can enjoy the Oceanfront during the tourist season and not have to pay 30, 40 dollars for parking or go see a sand soccer event,” said Todd Solomon, President of the Shore Drive Community Coalition.
Learn more about Route 35 at SDCC.info.
Baylines August Newsletter from BAC
Check out the entire Baylines August edition. (6 pg PDF)
Includes info about:
Bayfront Advisory Commission meets
Thursday, August 16, 2018
1:30 -3:30 pm
Newsletter
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center
2800 Shore Drive
City Council Appointed Advisory Board
Strategic Planning Meeting II
This annual meeting is open to the public but is a workshop meeting for the commission to compile priorities to be addressed by the BAC in the coming year. The public is welcome to observe. . . .
And:
The Ocean Park Civic League has officially notified the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of its opposition to making the Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf permanent and is seeking a public hearing on the matter.
New bike racks are coming to Shore Drive area!
You might remember there was a mix up after a key staff member left COVB.
The new Bicycle/Trails Planner in Parks & Rec is Elaine Linn.
Here’s the updated locations.
VB City Page coverage of The Canoes dedication
Virginia Beach’s newest public art sculpture, “The Canoes,” by nationally renowned artist Donald Lipski, welcomes visitors to Lynnhaven Inlet and the Chesapeake Bay.
The breathtaking sculpture showcases the rich history of the Lynnhaven Inlet and it will [welcome] residents and visitors to the bay area for many years to come.
~ Mayor Louis Jones
“…there are no plans to use the wharf for a dredge materials transfer station.”
The Canoes unvieled !
About 200 people showed up for the official unveiling of the very pretty in person The Canoes!
The Canoes is up!
Great article, pics & vid at Pilotonline.com:
“I heard that it might rain,” said artist Donald Lipski on Tuesday morning as the wind flung a flurry of raindrops against his back, soaking his jeans.
New Waterfront Sculpture Floats on the Rich Tides of History and Art
Ten aluminum canoes are now permanently docked at the Lynnhaven Inlet.
“FEDERAL PUBLIC NOTICE . . .PROPOSED MODIFICATION: The applicant proposes to modify the original permit to allow for a 360 linear feet wide by 20 feet long concrete wharf / bulkhead structure to remain in place.”
View all documents at US Army Corps of Engineers website here.
FEDERAL EVALUATION OF APPLICATION: The decision whether to modify a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. The decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits which reasonably may be expected from the modification must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All of the modification’s relevant factors will be considered, including conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, cultural values, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain values, land use classification, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, state, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of this modification. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to determine whether to modify, condition or deny this proposal. Comments are used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed modification. Anyone may request a public hearing to consider this modification by writing to the District Commander within 30 days of the date of this notice, stating specific reasons for holding the public hearing. The District Commander will then decide if a hearing should be held.
COMMENT PERIOD: Comments on this request for modification should be in writing and can be sent by either email to scharlene.a.floyd@usace.army.mil or by regular mail, addressed to the Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers (ATTN: CENAO-WR-S), 803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1011, and should be received by the close of business on August 6, 2018.
PUBLIC COMMENT ENDS 6 AUG 18
The Canoes unveiled July 28th at 11am and you’re invited !
“Responding officers found Brandon Carneal, 26, of Virginia Beach, at the scene. Carneal was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.”
“An eyewitness told 10 On Your Side two motorcyclists both accelerated west at a high speed when the red light they were stopped at switched to green.”
According to the witness, the trailing motorcyclist lost control and crossed into eastbound traffic.
Horrific accident closes #LESNERBRIDGE for another several hours
Want to lend a hand in finishing an educational art installation at Pleasure House Point?
From Irene Bowers, reporter for Virginian-Pilot:
Benjamin Heller is a visiting artist from NY on a grant from VBeach Office of Cultural Affairs. He is creating a sculpture—Terrapin Basin—near the Brock Environmental Center. His assistant had to leave, and he is finishing alone.
Here are two ways to help:
1. Interested adults can help polish the rock surfaces. Benjamin will show you how to use the polishers.
2. He could use 600 feet, yup that much, of three pronged or grounded electric cord. He already has one set of 600’ and hopes to borrow enough to run several polishers for any volunteers. He will tag and return the cord to owners upon completion.
You can find him out there early morning to night.
Contact him at: benjaminhellerart@gmail.com
You can read about Terrapin Basin here.
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager:”July 6th A major milestone will be reached – the placement of the final bridge segment of the EB bridge superstructure . . .”
From an email:
On Friday, July 6th A major milestone will be reached – the placement of the final bridge segment of the EB bridge superstructure (see email below). Although not as important as opening the bridge to traffic (still anticipated the last week of August), this event does mark the end of all major bridge construction for the project. After that segment is placed and the tendons stressed and grouted, the gantry will be launched ahead to the bridge approach (in front of the VA/MD Pilots Association) and readied for disassembly. Work is already taking place for the disassembly of the loading gantry located in the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Area.
I just wanted to let you all know of this event just in case you wanted to be there Friday morning and view from the sidewalk of the WB Bridge. Right now somewhere between 9:30 AM and 11:00AM looks like about the time they will set that segment.
Hooray!
-Chris
Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction 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.comFrom: Tom Bettcher [mailto:tbettcher@mcleancontracting.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2018 3:38 PM
To: Chris J. Wojtowicz
Cc: James P. Hess ; Vincent Smith
Subject: Span 10 UpdateChris,
As of 3:15 this afternoon (Thursday), the crew is working on the 7th of 13 total joints in Span 10. We lost a little time today with the passing showers and had to “unstack” the second half of the segments. Hopefully two more joints will be completed today, leaving 4 to do tomorrow. Typical joints take approximately 45 minutes with the last two, which are done somewhat concurrently, taking slightly longer. As of right now, my best guess for finishing would be between 9:30 AM & 11 AM tomorrow.
Tom Bettcher
Project Superintendent
tbettcher@mcleancontracting.com
Mobile: (757) 651-6265
“Following a stumbled handoff with city staff turnover, a plan to install bicycle racks at six beach access locations on the Bayfront is back on track.”
Check out BAC July Baylines 2018:
Ownership of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center has changed hands and will be rebranded as a Delta by Marriott after extensive renovations, Stacey Shiflet, a BAC member and executive in the family company that sold the hotel, reported.
Closing on the $19 million sale took place June 15, said Shiflet, who said she has been hired as a consultant during the transition. Some $25 million in renovations are planned.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 