August 12th 2015 update:

Enlightened Lesner Bridge Fans and Scholars:

As always, the summer seems to fly by much too fast. This has been a great one, so soak it up and enjoy the remaining time – I’m already looking forward to next summer, skeeters and all.

Despite the heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and the threat of lightning, Lesner Bridge Replacement Project Manager and bridge guru Chris Wojtowicz – “Mr. Bridge” to his bridge groupies – has sent me the latest in bridge project news and updates. 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. There’s no charge to watch, and it is really 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 at YouTube here].

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 these last dog days of summer weather, 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
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“When are they going to install the first bridge segment?” That is the million dollar question that many are asking now that the assembly of the launching gantry is complete. The answer is . . . . sometime the week of August 17th. The gantry is currently being load tested and certified for lifting the bridge segments and should be ready to pick the first bridge segment next week.

All of the bridge segments for the first span have been delivered to the project site and are being stored in the laydown yard behind the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps. You can see some of them from the Construction Camera. They are located on the extreme right of the frame beneath the unloader gantry crane and behind the field offices. McLean will transport these segments from the laydown yard to the beach beneath the launching gantry once load testing and certification is complete. From the Construction Sequence Animation you will see that McLean will first set the segment on the bridge abutment and then set the two pier segments at Pier #1.

Once these segments are anchored in place, the launching gantry will lift all the remaining segments for the span into position. One by one, each segment face will get a coating of epoxy and then be pulled together using temporary post-tensioning bars. The span will be complete once all of the permanent post tensioning tendons (10 total; six 27-strand and four 19-strand) for span one of the bridge are installed, post-tensioned, and grouted. The launching gantry will then move to span 2.

19-Strand Grouted Tendon Cross Section

Foundation work continues ahead of the launching gantry and segment installation preparation. Reinforcing steel is currently being placed for the footing at Pier 4 in preparation for concrete placement this Friday August 14th. The seal slab for Pier #5 has been poured and is currently curing. All of the drilled shaft foundations for Piers 6 and 7 have been installed. Drilled shaft installation at Pier 8 continues this week and is expected to be completed by August 20th.

The first of three concrete pours at Abutment B (next to the former Duck Inn property) took place on August 3rd. The second concrete placement at Abutment B will take place this Friday, August 14th. The contractor has also completed the installation of the top coping along the entire length of the MSE retaining wall next to 3556 On The Bay condominiums, and has also begun applying the bridge coating material on the MSE wall panels.

Reinforcing Steel Being Placed in the Footing at Pier 4

For those of you who are curious about what the handrail on the new bridge will look like, a full scale mock-up of a typical rail panel was fabricated and assembled in the laydown area (see photo below). This railing is a custom rail fabricated out of aluminum and is powder coated blue. The rail is 42-inches high and will be installed across the new bridge and on top of the MSE retaining walls.

Pedestrian Handrail Mock-up.

AMI, Inc in Portsmouth, continues to build the new bridge segments. A total of 64 of the 177 bridge segments have been cast and is enough to complete 4 of the 10 spans in the westbound bridge.

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:

Ø Begin placing bridge segments in span 1 of 10

Ø Install the column for Pier #4;

Ø Mobilize the seal slab for Pier #5;

Ø Complete the drilled foundation work at Pier #8;

Ø Begin drilling the foundations for the last bridge pier; Pier #9

Ø Complete construction of Abutment B;

Ø Complete the coating of MSE wall #1

Now get ready to see the launching gantry lift some bridge segments . . . it really IS something!

Keep watching and drive safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Screen Shot of Construction Cam photo taken February 18th at noon.

July 16th 2015 update:

Esteemed Lesner Bridge Fans and Followers:

Hope everyone is enjoying the season of hot weather, cold drinks, baseball and lots of beach and vacation time. Soak it up and savor the summer days that come with living in our little corner of paradise!

Progress on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project is moving onward, and you can see the progress almost on a daily basis.

Below is the latest collection of facts and figures and snappy photos – updated for your reading pleasure – from pretty face Chris Wojtowicz, project manager and captain of our “launching gantry crane.” We offer compelling reading in this update, so please add this page turner to your paperbacks and magazines for your pool and beach reading.

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 patience throughout this project.

Enjoy the summer weather, keep zapping those skeeters . . . AND STAY COOL AND 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

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Folks:

Before we get started on all details of the most current bridge construction progress – let us answer one question that everyone has been asking: NO, that big yellow and blue structure being erected now is NOT part of the bridge.

This structure is actually a launching gantry crane that will be used to set the segments for each span of the new bridge. You can see how this equipment will be used in the Lesner Bridge Construction Sequence Animation The elevation of the new bridge deck will be about where the feet on the blue gantry roller supports now rest. This equipment is very unique and is manufactured by Deal who designs and builds this specialty equipment for bridge construction now being done all over the world. Please check out their website for more information.

Now for the progress update on the bridge construction.

The segment launcher and gantry crane continues to be assembled between bridge piers 1 and 2 and is expected to be completed in approximately 3 weeks. Since the last update, crews have completed the construction of the footing and column for pier #3, finished the drilling of all shafts at pier #7, mobilized material and equipment to pier #6 for drilled shaft installation, and have installed all of the piles for Abutment B (next to the former Duck Inn site) of the new WB bridge.

Completed Bridge Column and Footing at Pier 3 (formwork to be removed at a later date)

Seal Slab and Footing Formwork Being Assembled and Readied for Placement at Pier 4.

The assembly of the unloader gantry next to the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps was also completed since the last update. With the completion of the unloader gantry, completed bridge segments have begun arriving at the construction site with a total of 10 delivered to date. Once the segment launching gantry is completed, these delivered segments will be moved to the beach beneath the launching gantry and then be lifted into place. It is expected that the first segments for bridge span 1 will be lifted into place sometime during the first week of August 2015.

Pre-cast Concrete Segments for the New Lesner Bridge stored at Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Area

AMI, Inc in Portsmouth, continues to build the new bridge segments. A total of 59 of the 177 bridge segments have been cast and is enough to complete 3 of the 10 spans in the westbound bridge. The pre-casting of span 4 of the bridge is also nearly complete with only 6 segments remaining to be cast to complete the span.

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:

Ø Complete the footing construction for Pier #4;

Ø Complete drilled shaft installation at Pier #6;

Ø Mobilize material and equipment to Pier #8;

Ø Begin formwork installation for Abutment B;

Ø Install concrete finish coping along the top of the MSE wall next to 3556 On The Bay Condominiums;

Ø Complete wooden fender installation at the wharf next to the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Area

That’s it for now.

Drive Safely!

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Screen Shot of Construction Cam photo taken 2015-07-17 at 8.05.17 AM

We couldn’t agree more!

As a matter of fact, if you haven’t experienced Mr. Chris Wojo… (we can’t pronounce it either) presentation on the Lesner, you’re in luck!

This coming Saturday June 20th 9am at Dockside he will be offering his very entertaining update which includes a lively Q&A. It’s for Lynnhaven Colony’s Civic League Meeting and the public is welcomed to attend.

We strongly encourage you to do so.

On to the …

June 17th 2015 update:

Bridge Lovers and Other Folks:

Put those thoughts of snow plows and sand and salt on the road while a cold wind whips off the bay out of your mind . . . . . and just enjoy this heat! Soak it up and savor the summer days living in Virginia Beach.

Progress on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project is moving onward, and you can see the progress almost on a daily basis.

Below is the latest collection of facts and figures and snappy photos – updated for your reading pleasure – from Chris Wojtowicz, infamous engineer and project manager. Please add this to your paperbacks and magazines for great reading while on the beach.

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 patience throughout this project.

Enjoy the summer weather, avoid the skeeters . . . AND STAY COOL AND SAFE!

*****************************************

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it” – Russell Baker

The heat is on – and not just the temperature. With lost work days during this past winter McLean Contracting is re-sequencing work, adding more resources to the project (can we fit any more cranes in the Lynnhaven?), and working weekends to make up for the lost days on the schedule. Their efforts to make up the lost time are certainly having a positive impact on the construction of the new westbound Lesner Bridge.

Temporary Trestle, Support Barges, and Cranes working concurrently on piers 3, 5, and 7.

Temporary Trestle, Support Barges, and Cranes working concurrently on piers 3, 5, and 7.

As the segment launcher (gantry crane) comes together between piers 1 and 2 of the new westbound bridge, the casting yard is preparing the completed bridge segments for shipment. A total of 49 of the 177 bridge segments have been cast and is enough to complete 3 of the 10 spans in the westbound bridge. The first bridge segment to be placed will be the expansion joint segment. This segment will be installed on Abutment “A” near 3556 On the Bay condominiums and will likely take place the first week of August 2015. Remember to check out the Lesner Bridge Construction Sequence Animation on YouTube!

Pre-cast Concrete Segments for the New Lesner Bridge stored at Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth, VA

Pre-cast Concrete Segments for the New Lesner Bridge stored at Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth, VA

While the segment launcher is being assembled, crews will be busy placing the reinforcing steel for the concrete cap in Pier 3 which is expected to be poured this week. Additionally, drilling crews have completed installing all of the drilled shafts for Piers 4 and 5 and are on track to complete the shafts for Pier 7 later this week before moving on to Pier 6. At the same time, a separate foundation crew has begun driving the steel pile foundation for Abutment B of the new westbound Lesner Bridge (next to the Point Chesapeake property).

Placement of Reinforcing Steel for the concrete cap at Pier 3

Placement of Reinforcing Steel for the concrete cap at Pier 3

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will;

Ø Mobilize the utility barges and drilling equipment to Pier #6;

Ø Complete pile installation at Abutment B;

Ø Complete assembly of the second gantry crane at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site;

Ø Continue casting segments for bridge span #4;

That’s it for now. Keep Cool and Drive Safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Screen shot of Construction Cam photo taken on June 18, 2015 @ 600a