Category Archives: LESNER BRIDGE
SDCC General Meeting – Mon Jan 29th at 7:30pm – Working Meeting on Issues and Priorities
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 1.29.18 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday January 29, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Discussion – This month’s presentation time will be used for a working group discussion to help identify community issues and priorities. What are your group’s biggest concerns? What Shore Drive issues are most important and need addressed immediately? Come help us prioritize our efforts for 2018.
Officer’s Reports: Secretary – Andrew Broyles;Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – Temporary trailer signs were used for 2 weeks in December. The City has been contacted to brief us on the results. Stay tuned.
Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property.
Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The last of 6 public meetings is being held on Jan. 29th at Bayside HS. SDCC will contact the City for more information regarding the next steps in this effort.
4-Way Intersection at Indian Hill Rd. – Update on City’s planned expansion on this intersection into a non-traffic lighted 4-way intersection to support the new entrance of the recently approved retirement community expansion.
New Business –
Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Update on Phase 4 – CIP 2.118. An onsite meeting with City Manager has been requested. Plans to attend an Open Mic night to request budget funding are being made and need community support. The current construction date of 2026 is not acceptable.
Lesner Bridge Update – Would anyone be interested in attending a tour of the bridge? SDCC would be happy to try and set this up. We are also trying to have the Project Manager attend an SDCC to provide us an update on the project which should finish sometime this year.
Community Concerns– This will be addressed in the Special Discussion section.
***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday February 26, 2018***
Monday Nov. 27th – SDCC General Meeting – Special Presentation on Shore Drive Improvments Phase 3
Click here for a printable version of the agenda 11.27.17 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday November 27, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentation – Shore Drive Improvements Phase 3 (Lesner Bridge to First Landing State Park) – Mr. Christopher Wojtowicz, PE, Engineering Construction Manager for the City of VB Public Works will provide an update on the Shore Drive Improvement Phase 3 project. This project will add safety improvements, bike lanes, storm water upgrades, curb and gutter and other roadway changes to the section of Shore Drive between the Lesner Bridge and First Landing State Park. The project is 90% ready for construction. The last time the community had a chance to see and comment was at 30%. Come out and see if your past comments have been incorporated and if there are any new items of interest.
Officer’s Reports: Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon;
President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Bayfront Development Projects Update –
• Marina Shores Marina Apartments – Approved at Oct. 11th meeting of the Planning Commission. Will most likely be heard by City Council in December.
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – SDCC sent resolution to City Council to purchase signs to be used specifically on Shore Drive. Councilman Wood has acknowledged the request and stated that City’s Public works has portable sign trailers. SDCC will continue dialogue with Councilman for purchase of Shore Drive signs.
Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The City of Virginia Beach recognizes challenges and is exploring solutions to the issues caused by sea level rise and recurrent flooding. The public is encouraged to attend one of several upcoming meetings where city representatives will provide residents with the opportunity to share their views and concerns. The information collected from the meetings will be used to develop the City’s long-term plans for sea level rise and recurrent flooding. Click here for more information on these meetings
- Mon., Dec. 11, 2017 8, 29, 30 Oceanfront: Beach District and the Lynnhaven east of Great Neck Road Cooke Elementary School, 1501 Mediterranean Avenue
- Thurs., Jan 25, 2018 3, 4 Western Lynnhaven: North of Princess Anne Road; bounded to the east by South Rosemont Road and Little NEck Road Princess Anne High School,4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Community Concerns– General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention. This is an opportunity for all to share information.
***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday December 18, 2017***
This meeting is a week early due to Holiday Season
SDCC Elections are coming up. Please let an officer know of your interest.
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager: “The answer is we cannot launch the gantry across the channel to complete construction of the center span until. . .”
Update from email:
Folks:
It’s been a while since the last update on the project and some of you have asked why it seems that we have stopped construction of the bridge superstructure over the inlet channel. The answer is we cannot launch the gantry across the channel to complete construction of the center span until we complete construction of Pier #5. The construction of pier 5 was delayed over the summer due to an issue with one of the 10 drilled shafts installed for this foundation. This shaft was completed this past Saturday 11/18/2017 and work is currently under way to prepare the formwork for the footing of this pier.
Once Pier #5 is complete, we will launch the gantry across the inlet, set the pier segments on Pier #5 and then launch to Pier #6 (recently completed) and set the pier segments on Pier column #6. Span #6 will then be assembled by picking segments off a barge moored in this location. After Span #6 is completed, the gantry will be back-launched toward the channel to complete the other half of the cantilever section of Span #5 that crosses the channel. So for the next two months expect see a lot of activity in the area of Pier #5 (east side of the channel).
Completed Drilled Shafts at Pier #5 EB Bridge (Completed Pier Column #6 shown in background)
View looking WNW at Cantilever A of Span 5 of the new EB Lesner Bridge.
Although the construction of Pier #5 was delayed, other bridge work continued and a lot has been done since the last update. Since our last project update in September the following work has been completed:
· Span #4 (of 10) and 4 segments of cantilever Span #5 have been constructed for the new EB bridge;
· Drilled Shaft foundations at Pier #5 have been completed;
· The footing and column at Pier #6 have been completed;
· The footing at Pier #7 has been completed;
· All four drilled shafts at Pier #8 have been installed;
· Two of the four drilled shafts at Pier #9 have been installed;
· Two of the three concrete placements for bridge Abutment B have been completed;
· The new bridge fender system beneath the new eastbound bridge has been completed (only four piles remain to be installed between the two new bridges);
· Construction of the bridge approach slab on the west side of the bridge has been completed;
· The storm drain system on the eastern bridge approach has been completed;
· The storm drain system on the western bridge approach has been completed (tie-in to existing stormwater drainage system at East Stratford Street currently under way);
· The retaining wall, including scenic overlook area, along Piedmont Circle and next to American Brew and the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Office has been completed;
· Two of the four new street lights on the western bridge approach have been installed;
· All casting of bridge segments have been completed for the project by Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth, VA;
Partially Completed Abutment B EB Bridge. Forms being removed.
Completed Footing at Pier #7 new EB Bridge.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
· Complete drilled shaft foundations at Pier #9 (this will complete all drilled shaft installation on the project);
· Set formwork and chip drilled shafts to specified elevation at Pier #5;
· Place column at Pier #7;
· Complete MSE wall #5 located in front of the Virginia and Maryland Pilots Association ;
· Work on setting 4 more segments in Span #5; and
· Complete curbing along MSE wall #2 located next to the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Office;
That’s it for now.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Please drive safely!
-Chris
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager: “noting that should a storm impact this area and winds begin to gust above 90 mph, it will be necessary to TEMPORARILY CLOSE the Lesner”
Update from email:
Residents/Folks/Travelers/Bridge Gazers:
As the hot, steamy days of summer give away to the almost-as-hot days of a Hampton Roads autumn, we find ourselves exchanging the soft summer breezes for the brutal breezes that feel like needles painfully piercing your face and arms from the winds of the latest tropical storm. As you fuel your generator and horde lots of Chef Boy-Ar-Dee and peanut butter, you might want to stockpile some reading material. Why not start with this update?
Mr. Chris the Kingfish and his crews having been plugging away all summer on the popular Lesner Bridge project. Included in this update is chit chat about the gantry, the fender system, a cofferdam, and mechanically stabilized earth. (Some of us will be breaking into discussion groups once we have completed the reading, hoping to dig through some of that deep sub-text that comes with these engineering updates.)
As always, we appreciate your questions and e-mails, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. 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 haven’t already signed up for the City’s FB page or Twitter account, I encourage you to do so so that you receive timely updates from all things City-related.
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. And don’t forget . . . stay safe, 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 Beach
dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353***************************************
Folks:
We are in the peak of hurricane season, and with all of the talk and news coverage of the hurricanes churning in the Atlantic, it is worth noting that should a storm impact this area and winds begin to gust above 90 mph, it will be necessary to TEMPORARILY CLOSE the Lesner Bridge to all but emergency vehicles due to the proximity of the construction gantry. We kept a very close eye on the storm track of Hurricane Irma and were ready to take the necessary precautions to secure the Lesner Bridge construction site, if needed. Fortunately, that no longer seems to be a concern.
Even though storm preparations were being made, construction work on the bridge continued. Since the last project update in early August, two more spans of the new eastbound bridge have been completed (spans 2 and 3) and if the weather holds out, McLean Contracting could launch the gantry crane to bridge span #4 as early as this Friday the 15th.
View Looking East from atop the Gantry (New Westbound Lesner Bridge shown on left)
New Westbound Lesner Bridge (left) and Completed Span #2 of the New Eastbound Lesner Bridge (right)
As work continues on the bridge superstructure, other work is also being completed concurrently. Folks that use the Lynnhaven Inlet will notice that the southern half of the new bridge fender system is now being constructed on either side of the main channel. Within the next few weeks all of the piles for the new fender system will be driven. The timber rails and walkways, as well as the permanent lighting for this fender system, will be installed through the month of October, and we anticipate completing it by the first week of November.
New Westbound Lesner Bridge (left) and Completed Span #2 of the New Eastbound Lesner Bridge (right)
New MSE wall in front of Bubba’s Restaurant and the Lesner Inn
A lot of work is also occurring along Cape Henry Drive on the east side of the bridge in front of the Lesner Inn, and the Virginia and Maryland Pilots Association. At this location, work has begun on the last MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) wall for the project. With a length of 645 feet, it is also the longest MSE wall on the project and is expected to be completed by the first week of October.
Installation of drilled shaft foundations for the bridge pier columns also continues. All but one of the drilled shafts have been installed for Pier #5 and at Pier #6 only one drilled shaft remains to be placed. McLean will mobilize the drilling equipment to Pier #7 at the completion of these two drilled shafts. Preparations for work at Pier #7 have already been made. The cofferdam at Pier #7 has been installed, and the permanent steel casings for the 5 drilled shafts at this location have been delivered to the work area.
In summary, the following work has been completed since our last project update in August:
· Most of the old Lesner Bridges have been demolished, with only a few in-water concrete piles remaining to be removed;
· Spans 1, 2, and 3 (of 10) for the new EB bridge have been completed and the gantry crane is being prepared for launching to Span #4;
· The footing and column at Pier #4 have been completed;
· Streetlight pole foundations on the new eastbound bridge approach between East Stratford Street and the new bridge have been installed;
· 9 of the 10 drilled shafts for Pier #5 have been installed;
· 4 of the 5 drilled shafts for Pier #6 have been installed;
· Work on the southern half of the new bridge fender system has begun;
· 9 of the 10 drilled shafts for Pier #5 have been installed;
· Approximately 400 linear feet (of 645 linear feet) of MSE Wall #5 (in front of Lesner Inn) has been built.
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 163 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by the end of this month.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
· Complete drilled shaft foundations at Pier #5;
· Complete drilled shaft foundations at Pier #6;
· Complete pile installation for the new bridge fender system;
· Begin assembly of the superstructure for bridge span #4; and
· Continue work on the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between the new bridge and Vista Circle (in front of Lesner Inn);
That’s it for now. Please 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
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager: “Demolition of all the superstructure of the old bridges has been completed and most of the substructure (footings and pile foundations) of the old bridges have been removed.”
Update from email:
Structural Scholars/Bridge Aficionados/Bored Readers Who Will Read This:
Just in case you are short on reading material for a Monday, and you’re asking yourself: “How can I be enlightened about the Lesner Bridge and the progress that we have been promised?” Rest your souls, for I present to you a quick update from Wojo the Kingfish of Bridges. You’ll be quite pleased to learn about the progress that is being made due to the diligent efforts of the crews and Kingfish and his trusty communications chump.
As always, we appreciate your questions and e-mails, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. 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 . . . stay safe, look out for each other, and put the phone down while you’re driving.*************************************************
Folks:
Since the movement of the gantry crane into position for the construction of the new eastbound Lesner Bridge last month, much progress has been made on the project.Demolition of all the superstructure of the old bridges has been completed and most of the substructure (footings and pile foundations) of the old bridges have been removed. Work is continuing in the federal channel of the Lynnhaven Inlet to cut and remove the large submerged footings of the old bridges (old piers 14 and 15) located on either side of this channel and is expected to be completed by 8/15/2017.
Old Bridge Main Span Bridge Footing (Pier 14 WB) Loaded on Barge – NOTE the 12-inch cutoff piles
Old Bridge Main Span Bridge Footings (Piers 14 EB /WB and 15 WB) Loaded on Barge
The final placement of concrete for the backwall of Abutment A (west side of the bridge by the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps) was completed on July 21st and the first span (of 10) of the new eastbound bridge was completed on July 24th, 2017. The drilled shaft foundations, footings, and columns for bridges piers 1, 2, and 3 (of 9) have also been completed. Last week the contractor completed the foundation and footing for pier column 4 and plans and completed the column for this pier last Friday. Work is also continuing on the MSE (mechanically stabilized earth) walls located on both the eastern and western bridge approaches.
MSE Wall at the Scenic Overlook at Abutment A near the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps
We anticipate that only 1 or 2 more barge loads of bridge demolition structures remain to be delivered to Cabbage Patch Reef. For those of you that are interested, MAP Environmental has put together a great drone video of the placement of the old bridge materials into Cabbage Patch Reef.
Drilled shaft foundations continue to be installed for the foundation at pier column 5. Concrete placement for these shafts are being performed from the eastbound outside lane on the new bridge between the hours of 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM. The next anticipated lane closures for this concrete placement is on Wednesday and Thursday August 16th and 17th and on Wednesday and Thursday August 23rd and 24th.
In summary, the following work has been completed since our last project update in June:
· The two temporary steel girders have been removed from across Shore Drive and the western end of the new WB Lesner Bridge;
· Approximately 95% of the old Lesner Bridges have been demolished;
· The backwall at Abutment A has been completed;
· Span 1 of 10 for the new EB bridge has been completed and the gantry crane launched to Span #2;
· The footing for Pier #4 has been completed and the steel reinforcing for the pier column has been installed;
· MSE Wall #2 (near the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps) and Wall #3 (Scenic Overlook) have been constructed;
· 8 of the 10 drilled shafts for Pier #5 have been installed;
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 162 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by September 2017.
Aerial view of the bridge segment casting yard located at Atlantic Metrocast, Inc. in Portsmouth, VA (note the number of completed segments being stored for Lesner Bridge)
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:· Complete Bridge Demolition with the removal of the eastern bridge abutments and remaining in-water concrete piles;
· Complete drilled shaft foundations at Pier #5;
· Mobilize material and equipment to Pier #6;
· Fill the western bridge approach to rough grade;
· Complete the construction of Span #2 and launch the gantry crane to Span #3;
· Complete Pier Column #4;
· Begin excavation for the leveling pad of the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between the new bridge and Vista Circle (in front of Lesner Inn);
· Begin installation of the steel “H” piles for the new bridge fender system on the south side of the new EB Lesner Bridge;
That’s it for now. Please 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
BAC Capital Improvement Projects’ Briefing
View and download PDF of presentation briefing. (27 page PDF)
PDF includes info such as:
Completed Projects FY17
Shore Drive Bike Facilities CIP 2-300.101
• EB & WB On road bike lanes from Diamond Springs Road to
Northampton Boulevard, approx. 3 miles.
• Completed February 2017
• Total Project Cost: $4.4M
Crab Creek & Long Creek Dredging CIP 8-011 • Spot dredging to address shoaling
• Completed February 2017 • Total Project Cost: $285K
Lynnhaven Inlet Maintenance Dredging • Minor dredging to address shoaling
• Completed August 2016
• Annualized Payments to USACE – $363K
CIP 8-013
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager: “Thursday July 6th, beginning at 12:01 AM and ending at 4:00 AM – Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge will be reduced to a single lane.”
Update from Email:
Folks:
Last week we successfully accomplished a major milestone in the project – moving the gantry crane from the north side of Shore Drive to the south side of Shore Drive and into position to begin assembly of the eastbound bridge superstructure segments. To do this, we had to close Shore Drive and setup a long detour until the move could be completed. The last piece of this move is to remove the two beams that are currently located on the western end of the bridge crossing Shore Drive.
Unlike the first two phases of this gantry crane move, a detour WILL NOT be required to remove these two beams. NEXT Thursday July 6th, beginning at 12:01 AM and ending at 4:00 AM – Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge will be reduced to a single lane and a flagger operation will control the direction of traffic across the bridge. Therefore, motorists should be PREPARED TO STOP on their approach to the bridge during this time period.
Bridge crossing delays of up to 15 minutes should be expected and motorists may want to plan an alternate route while these two beams are removed.
Area of Work and Restricted Traffic on Lesner Bridge July 6, 2017 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM
Please note that on Wednesday July 5th, beginning at 10:00 PM Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge will be reduced to a single lane in each direction in preparation for the flagger operation that will begin at midnight.
We appreciate your patience regarding these traffic interruptions along Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge!
Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day! …and of course Please 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
#LESNERBRIDGE open tonight.
Bridge closure is cancelled.
Last night pics.
#LESNERBRIDGE IS CLOSING for BRIEF period of time soon!
From the classic update from a comedian in COVB Media and a guy from Public Works who <3 the Lesner:
This move will be conducted over three nights: June 19th, 20th, and 21st.
Structural Scholars/Bridge Aficionados/Bored Readers:
For those of you who were wondering: “What am I going to read on the beach this weekend,” or “What can I read late at night that will stir me intellectually and heighten my awareness about structural engineering,” I have an answer – Before you is the latest from the Czar of Bridges, Chris Wojo, the Kingfish.
This is IMPORTANT information, so please take note. The Fish speaks of moving the gantry, substructure work, overheight vehicles, and most importantly . . . CLOSING SHORE DRIVE for a BRIEF period. He has gone to great pains to scratch out everything in details, and I have gone to great pains to check for spelling and punctuation errors . . . I know, it’s dirty work, but someone has to do it. It’s my lot in life.
There truly is a lot of information here and we are doing everything we can to get the word out to the local community so that everyone is aware of what will be taking place. Chris and his team have worked very hard to schedule everything so that there is a minimum of inconvenience to everyone.
We will be posting the latest info on our web pages, as well as the City’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. If you know of an organization or groups we should alert, please let me know and I will be glad to contact them. And if you haven’t already signed up for the City’s FB page or Twitter account, I encourage you to do so so that you receive timely updates from all things City-related.
As always, we appreciate your questions and e-mails, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. 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 . . . stay safe, 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*****************************************
Folks:
A lot of you have been asking, “When is the gantry going to be moved?” Now that time has come. I hope most of you have heard about or seen the message on the portable signs on Shore Drive:
LES BRDG CLOSED 12AM-4AM
JUNE 19 THRU JUNE 24We have reached that point in the construction schedule where we need the gantry crane that is currently stored on the north side of Shore Drive to be put in place so that the superstructure of the new eastbound Lesner Bridge can be assembled.
To do this, we need to temporarily close Shore Drive to slide the gantry over the roadway and into position on the south side of Shore Drive.
This move will be conducted over three nights: June 19th, 20th, and 21st.
We will need short-term closures of Shore Drive between the hours of 12 midnight and 4 am, so as to disrupt as little traffic as possible. Note: One lane of the bridge will be kept open for use by emergency vehicles. In the event that emergency vehicles need to cross the bridge during this time, work will be temporarily halted to let the emergency vehicles cross the bridge. The detour route for all other vehicles during these dates and times is provided below.
Detour Route for the Temporary Short-Term Closure of Lesner Bridge
The move of the gantry crane will take place with the following anticipated schedule:
Monday, June 19th: 12 midnight through 4 am.
We will be:
+ Installing two support beams across Shore Drive to connect the falsework on the north side of the bridge to the falsework located on the south side
+ Connecting cables from the winches located on the south side of the bridge to the gantry located on the north side.
+ Re-opening Shore Drive to traffic.
NOTE: OVERHEAD CLEARANCE WILL BE 13’9” THEREFORE, OVERHEIGHT VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO USE ANOTHER ROUTE UNTIL THE SUPPORT BEAMS ARE REMOVED
Tuesday, June 20th: 12 midnight until 4 a.m.
We will be:
+ Completing preparations to the gantry rolling system and survey the falsework to ensure proper alignment of the channels.
+ Winching the gantry across Shore Drive and onto the falsework located on the south side of the bridge.
+ Re-opening Shore Drive to traffic.
NOTE: AGAIN . . . OVERHEAD CLEARANCE WILL BE 13’9” THEREFORE, OVERHEIGHT VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO USE ANOTHER ROUTE UNTIL THE SUPPORT BEAMS ARE REMOVED.
Wednesday, June 21st: 12 midnight until 4 a.m.
We will be:
+ Removing the two support beams from the falsework that crosses Shore Drive.
+ Re-opening Shore Drive to traffic.
NOTE: NO RESTRICTIONS TO OVERHEIGHT VEHICLES.
Gantry Support Falsework
Gantry Move
Other Bridge Construction News:
In addition to the preparations being made for the gantry move, substructure work on the new bridge continues.
Piers 1 and 2 (of 9) of the new eastbound bridge have been completed. All of the drilled shaft foundations and the footing for Pier 3 have been completed and only one drilled shaft remains to be installed for the foundation at Pier 4.Reinforcing Steel at Pier Column 3
As McLean continues to build the new bridge substructure from the west, they are also continuing the demolition of the old bridges to the east and have completed approximately 80% of this demolition.
Bridge Demolition on the East side of Lynnhaven Inlet
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 143 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by August 2017.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:+ Continue bridge demolition;
+ Place concrete and complete construction of Pier #3;
+ Place reinforcing steel and concrete in the footing for Pier #4;
+ Install the falsework and seal slab for Pier #5;
+ Install the falsework and seal slab for Pier #6:
+ Place the leveling pad for the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the new bridge;
+ Continue filling and grading operations at the new bridge abutments;
+ Install the new traffic signal pole and mast arm on the southeast corner of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street (to be done during the night of the Shore Drive Road closure on June 19th – 20th).
Other information regarding the status of the bridge construction can also be found at http://www.vbgov.com\lesner-bridge
As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding this project and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Drive Safely!
-ChrisChristopher 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
“The old Lesner Bridge is getting a second life.”
Although the state is paying McLean Contracting to rebuild the bridge, the contractor is using its own money to hire crews that move tons of concrete to the reef. The VMRC monitors the process.
Crews load up a barge of concrete pieces roughly every two weeks and travel about 18 miles to Cabbage Patch Reef. They begin the ride at midnight and make it by the time the sun rises.
Screen Shot of Construction Cam photo taken February 18th at noon.
#LESNERBRIGE
May Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee
View May Baylines. (PDF)
Times have shifted for the Bayfront Advisory Commission’s special Outreach ’17 special community input initiative. The public meeting will still follow the BAC’s regular May 18 meeting. But the time has been shifted to 4:30 to 6 p.m. to accommodate extra items on the regular meeting agenda.
And:
City Council has appointed Capt. Joey Frantzen, commanding officer of the JEB Little Creek-Fort Story as ex-officio member of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
#LESNERBRIDGE update includes more about The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park
Update from email includes the comedy you expect:
Bridge Insiders:
Kingfish is bubbling over with all kinds of news, including the latest on the sculpture for the bridge that was just announced (picture included) and the latest inside scoop on falsework: “ . . . falsework is being constructed as a mirror image of the temporary steel falsework that the yellow gantry is now supported on and located on the north side of the bridge. Once this falsework is complete, plans will be made to place two steel girders across Shore Drive (and the new bridge) to connect both sets of falsework.”
If you’re a “falsework” junkie, you’re about to fall in love . . . .
As always, there are a lot of good things going with the project now, and you get the first peek. We appreciate your questions and e-mails, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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.
As I said, feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.
Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project. So . . . stay drive, 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
Folks:
Foundation work for the new eastbound Lesner Bridge is progressing as scheduled and the contractor is now installing the drilled shaft foundations in Pier #3, the first water pier for the eastbound bridge.
But before we get into the details of the bridge construction, I want to point out one feature of the eastbound bridge that is not present in the westbound bridge – the Scenic Overlook. This overlook will be located on the southwest side of the bridge right across from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps.
Scenic Overlook Area Located on the Southwest side of the New Eastbound Lesner Bridge
The plans show that a cast-in-place concrete planter was to be built within this Scenic Overlook; however, in lieu of this planter the Public Art Virginia Beach Foundation has worked with renowned artist, Donald Lipski, and private donors to provide a unique one-of-a-kind signature sculpture known at The Canoes. This work was presented last Thursday by Mr. Lipski at the Bayfront Advisory Commission meeting. Additional information can be found on the City of Virginia Beach website in the News Center.
Proposed Sculpture THE CANOES by Donald Lipski
Back to bridge construction!
As mentioned earlier, foundation work for the new eastbound bridge is progressing well. Only one more concrete pour remains for the completion of bridge Abutment A (west side of Lynnhaven Inlet), all of the drilled shafts have been installed for bridge piers 1 and 2 and two of the five drilled shafts have already been completed for pier 3.
Multiple activities are occurring concurrently. As the drilled shafts are being installed, McLean is continuing to install temporary trestle towards the pier 4 location. Footing preparations for pier 1 are ongoing and the construction of the pipe pile falsework between Abutment A and pier 1 is well underway. This falsework is being constructed as a mirror image of the temporary steel falsework that the yellow gantry is now supported on and located on the north side of the bridge. Once this falsework is complete, plans will be made to place two steel girders across Shore Drive (and the new bridge) to connect both sets of falsework. The gantry will then be winched across Shore Drive from north to south and put into position to begin erecting the superstructure of the new eastbound bridge. Stay tuned as more details of this move become available.
Demolition of the old bridges also continues. The deep main span footings (pier 14 and 15 of the old bridges) are currently being cut and removed from the Lynnhaven Inlet. Most of the accessible piles located west of Federal Channel have been removed. The remaining superstructure of the old bridges located east of the Federal Channel has already been sawcut and is ready for demolition after the gantry is moved.
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 123 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by August 2017.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
· Continue bridge demolition;
· Install the remaining drilled shaft foundations at Pier #3;
· Install the concrete seal slab at Pier #4;
· Place the leveling pad for the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the new bridge;
· Continue filling and grading operations at the new bridge abutments;
· Install the new traffic signal pole and foundation on the southeast corner of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street;
· Continue installation of the steel falsework between Abutment A and Pier #1 to support the segment assembly gantry crane
· Grade and place the reinforcing steel for the footing at Pier #1
That’s it for now. Please drive safely!
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
“The designs carved into the canoes take inspiration from the time of the early settlers, including prints on fabrics such as John Smith’s tunic, Lipski said.”
More coverage of The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park.
Check out Pilotonline.com for more.
The foundation still needs to raise about $100,000 of the $350,000 contract and is accepting donations through its website: vbpublicart.org.
“New Sculpture to Welcome Visitors to the Rich History of Lynnhaven Inlet”
Learn more at VBGov.com about The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park:
The Canoes, to be located on the southern pedestrian overlook heading east on the new Lesner Bridge on Shore Drive, will usher visitors into the beauty and history of the Chesapeake Bay area. The historic canoe as a medium for the sculpture creates an indelible tie to the waters surrounding it. The Canoes draws on the Bay Area of the 1600s, when seine fishing was a profitable trade on the Lynnhaven shoreline.
More info about The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park at COVB City Page:
The Canoes uses ten full-size aluminum canoes, stamped and punched with elaborate lace patterns, a nod to the decorative arts of the early settlers. The canoes are joined at the center in a stylized sunburst, balanced atop a tall arch. It will be lit in the evening by soft LED lights and features a seating area overlooking the bay.
The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park
“What would be spectacular to see in any circumstance?”
26′ wide by 46′ tall. LED lighting, possibly aircraft aluminum.
Bayfront Advisory Committee and Public Art VB has been working on this.
Now it’s up to you to help too!
Get your fund raising thinking caps on.
It’s spectacular.
#LESNERBRIDGE update: “…not waiting for the old bridges to be completely removed before beginning construction of the new bridge.”
Pulled from official website page at VBGov.com:
April 6, 2017 Update
To All:Since the last project update in December much has changed on the Lesner Bridge crossing Lynnhaven Inlet! On the evening of January 17th, 2017 the eastbound lanes of Shore Drive traffic were switched over to the new westbound Lesner Bridge thus completing Phase 3 of 5 on the project and preparing the way for the demolition of the old Lesner Bridges and the construction of the new eastbound Lesner Bridge. Demolition of both old bridges began on January 25th, 2017 and continues today. Contrary to what some folks believed, NO BLASTING will be used to in the demolition of the old bridges. In fact, the decks of the bridges have been strategically cut to allow each beam of each span to be removed individually. Most of the removed beams with attached deck will be transferred to barges for disposal at Cabbage Patch Reef located off the shoreline of Kiptopeke State Park. Some of the removed degraded beams were chosen by Virginia Tech to be saved and transported to Blacksburg for strength testing – but that is another story. The remaining piles of the bridge are cut off 4-feet below the ground surface if they are on land or are vibrated out if they are located within the water.
Center Steel Spans of the Old Lesner Bridges Removed
Pile Removal from Old Lesner Bridge
Cabbage Patch Reef Located in the Chesapeake Bay
Barge Loaded with Beam and Deck Sections of the Old Lesner Bridge
We are not waiting for the old bridges to be completely removed before beginning construction of the new bridge. All of the foundation piles from bridge abutment A (west side of the Lynnhaven) have been installed and the first of three concrete pours for the footing was completed on 3/28/2017. The four drilled shaft foundations for Pier column #1 were completed today, March 30th and over the weekend crews will move drilling equipment over to the cofferdam already installed for Pier column #2.Completed Footing Base at Abutment A
In summary, the following work has been completed since the last project update (12/21/2016):
All Shore Drive traffic moved to the new westbound Lesner Bridge;
Approximately 40% of the old Lesner Bridges have been demolished;
All wick drains located at both bridge abutments have been installed;
All of the remaining piles for Abutment A have been driven;
The footing for Abutment A has been completed;
The steel reinforcing for the segment pedestal and backwall at Abutment A has been installed;
All four drilled shafts for Pier Column #1 have been installed;
Retaining walls for new sidewalk installed along the southeast corner of East Stratford Street and Shore Drive.
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 102 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by August 2017.Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
Continue Bridge Demolition;
Install the drilled shaft foundations at Pier #2;
Complete the construction of Abutment A;
Continue filling and grading operations at the new bridge abutments;
Install the new traffic signal pole and foundation on the southeast corner of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street;
Begin excavation for the leveling pad of the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the new bridge;
Begin installation of the steel falsework between Abutment A and Pier #1 to support the segment assembly gantry crane.That’s it for now. Please drive safely!
-Chris
April Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee
View April Baylines. (PDF)
This edition includes info like:
Years of planning will culminate April 20 when the Public Art Virginia Beach Foundation and artist Donald Lipski unveil the design for the public art creation that will be erected on the southwest side of the new Lesner Bridge at the Bayfront Advisory Committee meeting.
The meeting, open to the public, will include presentations by Lipski and Foundation Chairman Andy Fine discussing and showing the inspiration behind the artwork. The presentation will take place at the 3:30 p.m. meeting in the Sunset Room of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive.
The rumor about Lesner Bridge budget cuts are true. Your voices were heard.
(April Fools)
Because of federal budget cuts rippling through to the state, a deal was made early this morning for COVB to keep some of the monies set aside to complete the Lesner Bridge.
One of the ideas is to study if it’s feasible to keep part of the old Lesner Bridge still standing as a public open space pier.
(Two engineers we’ve been speaking with feel it should be very doable.)
Ultimate plan would be for a public, private partnership to finance the maintenance & operation of Lesner Pier as it might be called.
The rest of the saved funds could go to other various projects like upgrading storm water improvements.
Article & photos of old #LESNERBRIDGE
Another article & photos here also at Pilotonline.com today.
2nd photo from construction cam capturing blizzard of March 3rd ’17.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 