Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
It is the view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel from atop a billboard that used to be behind the Chesapeake Beach Fire Dept. Photo Credit: Wally D.
Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
It could have been much worse, Fire Marshal Tassone said. The close proximity of the buildings helped the fire spread, but the wind was calm until after the fire was under control.
A fire at a condo complex on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach displaced more than 20 people on Thursday night, April 23, 2015. (Stephen M. Katz | The Virginian-Pilot)
Coverage including video (that annoyingly starts with sound by default) and photos at 13 News Now.
Fireman trying to fight the flames at the Page Court condo fire on April 23, 2015. (Photo: Bobbi Sawyers?,13News Now viewer
2 alarm fire located on Page Court just east of Lesner Bridge.
More than 20 people were displaced by a two-alarm condo fire overnight in the 2300 block of Page Court.
A fire at a condo complex on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach displaced more than 20 people on Thursday night, April 23, 2015. (Stephen M. Katz | The Virginian-Pilot)
Coverage at WAVY.com includes video.
Six firefighters were injured battling an overnight fire that damaged 18 units in Virginia Beach and forced many residents out of their homes.
Coverage at WTKR.com includes “raw video” & photos.
Virginia Natural Gas and Dominion Virginia Power responded during the fire to secure a ruptured gas line and downed power lines.
Coverage at 13NewsNow.com including video & photos.
Ben L, who lives about 75 yards from the building where the fire started, said it was the scariest thing he ever saw. As he watched the flames move from building to building, he worried his would be next.
From a witness:
I was very proud to see a strong Ocean Park VRS response for this emergency. Two ambulances and three ALS providers, all from Ocean Park, plus a fantastic response from Company 1 and the VBFD. I saw Chief Cover on scene at 1am in his jeans helping out, and Chief McAndrews had it all under control. Three state of the art ladder trucks in the air with their master streams flowing was an awesome spectacle, and Support 8 with their volunteers arrived to assist with rehab and salvage. The Police kept a good perimeter and the neighbors kept a respectful distance and took in the displaced fire victims. There is a reason we have one of the top Emergency Response systems in the country, and this was a perfect illustration of how things can work well between agencies. Our EMS Chiefs on the scene kept us informed and safe, and Ocean Park even offered up shelter and food at the station for anyone that needed it, but there were no takers. I think the neighbors took care of their own! It is horrible when something like this happens, but I’m proud we can all come together and prevent the loss of life and further property.
Screenshot from #LESNERBRIDGE construction camera of photo from April 24 2015 1am.
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
From the fancy construction camera.
Screen grab from April 13 2015 1pm construction cam zoomed in to 170%
From a City of Virginia Beach News Release about #LESNERBRIDGE
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT:
April 13, 2015 Drew Lankford, (757) 385-8062
(757) 409-4353
dlankfor@vbgov.comUpdate on Crane Incident at Lesner Bridge Project
Earlier this afternoon one of the cranes being used to build the new Lesner Bridge rolled on its side as the crane operator was moving a piece of material. We are thankful that no one was hurt during this incident. Virginia Beach Police, Fire & Rescue immediately responded to assess the situation and have since left the site. The crane is located on the beach near 3556 Shore Drive and rolled toward Chesapeake Bay. Only the boom of the crane is in the bay. There have been no reported spills or discharges of hazardous materials from this incident.
McLean Contracting (the crane’s owner) is currently investigating the cause of this accident.
Westbound traffic on Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge is unaffected other than the slowing down due to rubbernecking. Traffic on eastbound Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge is heavy due to the paving operation taking place at the Vista Circle intersection which will be completed by approximately 4:00 PM this afternoon. Expect delays in this area through the PM rush hour.
# # #
City Launches Its Newest Text–to-911 Service. News at VBGov.com.
Here are a few tips and suggestions that will help citizens use the tool more efficiently and effectively if needed:
Texting should only be used for emergency situations that require an immediate response from police, fire or emergency medical services. Non-emergency issues should still be communicated by calling the non-emergency number, 385-5000.Calling 9-1-1 is quicker, more efficient and preferred, so texting to 9-1-1 should be reserved for those in the speech and hearing-impaired community and those who are in a situation where speaking is unsafe.
Provide the location and nature of the emergency in the first text. This will enable help to be dispatched as quickly as possible.and more. . .
Hooray !
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
April 10th 2015 update:
Friends, Neighbors and Those Who Want to Know Everything About the Lesner Bridge Project:
As you sit outside on a gorgeous Friday and feel the bay breeze blow through your hair – or what’s left of it in some cases – treat yourself to the latest information about the Public Works project – the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project. Things are humming right along, and we are receiving a number of questions and requests for information on a regular basis – which is GREAT. We appreciate your interest and your comments about this important undertaking.
The latest collection of facts and figures and other details are below – updated for your reading pleasure or should someone suddenly begin to quiz you – as explained by Chris Wojtowicz, our project manager and the pride and joy of “Wojo’s World.” Please give this a look when you have the time, and 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 your weekend, and all the happenings our city offers . . . AND STAY SAFE!
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353Ok, let’s answer the first question that many of you have had or are thinking: “What is all that steel framework construction taking place in the dredge material storage area south of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps?”
The answer is: The bridge contractor is preparing the storage area to receive the pre-cast bridge segments now being stored at Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth. This temporary steel framework will support an overhead crane that will be used to unload/load the bridge segments from the delivery trucks and move these segments within the storage area.
The bridge contractor has also been preparing the temporary steel falsework between Pier #1 and Abutment A (this is near 3556 On The Bay condominiums) to receive the support towers and gantry trusses. The two concrete pads recently poured at Abutment A is the foundation for one of the two towers that will be erected next week. These towers will be used to support the bridge segment assembly gantry.
Casting yard production of the bridge segments is also continuing. The expansion joint segment, which is the first segment that will be placed in the bridge (on Abutment A), was cast on Tuesday (the 7th). Three of the 14 typical segments for bridge span 2 have also been cast since the last project update.
(Expansion Joint segment with ~25% of steel reinforcing installed)
The foundation work on the westbound bridge continues. The last of the ten drilled shafts at Pier #4 will be installed by today (Friday the 10th).
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will;
Ø Mobilize the utility barges and drilling equipment to Pier #5 (east side of the Federal Channel in the Lynnhaven Inlet);
Ø Mobilize cranes to Abutment A to support the assembly of the bridge segment assembly gantry;
Ø Continue work on the temporary overhead crane installation at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site;
Ø Install a cofferdam around the completed foundations at Pier #3;
Ø Install the new traffic signal poles and signal heads at the intersection of Shore Drive/Page Avenue/Vista Circle;
Ø Construct a haul road along the retaining wall adjacent to the Pointe Chesapeake property (former Duck Inn site) to support construction of Abutment B;
*** On a final note . . . The Ocean Park Civic League is having a neighborhood yard sale this Saturday, April 11th,which means that there will be a lot of additional vehicles entering/exiting East Stratford Street at Shore Drive. Since our bridge contractor will also be working this weekend, please use caution on Shore Drive when nearing the East Stratford Street intersection and when turning onto East Stratford Street going towards the boat ramps.
Because of all this activity, there will likely be more pedestrians and vehicles in this area this weekend than usual – so be alert 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 grab of zoomed construction cam shot taken on April 10th 2015 3pm.
Heard about Virginia Decoded website the other day and thought it might be useful.
Virginia Decoded provides the Code of Virginia on one friendly website. Inline definitions, cross-references, bulk downloads, a modern API, and all of the niceties of modern website design. It’s like the expensive software lawyers use, but free and wonderful.
Their scoop on:
Data Sources
The information that makes up Virginia Decoded comes entirely from public sources. All of the sections of the code are straight from the Virginia Code Commission, who provides SGML of the Code (via LexisNexis). Legislative data is from Richmond Sunlight. Court decisions are scraped from the Court of Appeals’ decisions webpage. Term definitions are from within the state code itself. Throughout the site, links are provided to original data sources, whenever possible.
NOTE: SDCC does not endorse this website. We just posted it, and added it to our Elsewhere Link list in the left column as a possible useful tool for those who stay up late at night reading the Virginia Code.
Engage!
click graphic to visit Virtual Town Hall website
Official Library website info at VBGov.com.
The resources under Research are just one of the amazing benefits you receive by having a VB Library card.
We encourage you to check out our library system in person!
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
Email from Lynnhaven River NOW sez:
Hey, everyone,
We started putting up the goose fencing for the planting sites along the trail at PHP, and came upon an unfortunate scene. Meredith had put in some fairly large stakes last week to mark the area, and they were all broken off today when we went out (stakes were thrown into the marsh area). We think maybe people think we are trying to block off the trails completely, and don’t understand that the path is simply shifting, though maybe they are just vandalizing for the sake of vandalizing. This was along the area where there is clearly still some type of ATV action.
Photo of stakes & goose fencing built by volunteers that was destroyed
Parks & Natural Areas Office: 757-385-2080
Police Non-Emergency Number: 757-385-5000
Animal Control: 757-385-4444
Still working on finding that sweet spot of eliminating 100% of vandalism & foolish behavior vs loving PHP to death.
Since our inception, we’ve worked on a lot of issues that have made our beloved community a little better.
Our work has helped us create a powerful, respected reputation.
Now we’ve expanded our reach & sphere of influence.
We’re happy to announce a new joint venture with Google – Shore Drive Pac Man for Google Maps!
You’re welcome.
Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook
YUM!
Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.
Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!
Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.
Rename the Lesner Bridge? Nope. At Pilotonline.com:
Vice Mayor Louis Jones, whose district includes the western side of Shore Drive, said he agrees with that suggestion. The decision is ultimately up to the City Council.
Bayfront Advisory Commission Chairman Kal Kassir said the results didn’t surprise him. The commission advises the City Council on issues relating to the communities along the Chesapeake Bay.
Screen grab of zoomed construction cam shot taken on Feb 26th 2015 10am.
The new poles driven at the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility are for the #LESNERBRIDGE construction. 
Thanks to everyone who helped make the #LESNERBRIDGE updates and transparency about the project possible!
From the News Release yesterday at VBGov.com:
“Open VB marks a major step forward in increasing public transparency in our budget and capital improvement projects,” said city Budget Director Catheryn Whitesell. “We implemented Open VB because citizens have a right to know how fund are being raised and allocated.”
Here’s the link to the #LESNERBRIDGE at the new Open VB website.
Here’s the Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV hot link.
Click screen shot to visit hot link at Open VB website.
The Search function in upper right hand corner of page seems to need exact name of the Project to find it.
It is a lot easier to scroll on the interactive map, and drill down/zoom in to find road projects you are interested in.
There is also a great way to find projects using the CATEGORY function.
As an example, it was easy to find the vital Sewer Pump Station Flow Monitoring & Date Storage page by drilling down in the CATEGORY function. Here’s that page.
Here’s an example of drilling down into the SERVICE function.
It was easy to find the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Phase I page.
Thanks again to everyone who works so diligently on making government and it’s processes transparent.
Thanks to everyone at the COVB who makes it easy for the public to find it.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 