Check Pilotonline.com article:
The 66-year-old Navy veteran rides from his house in Bayside’s Thoroughgood area to Rudee Inlet at the Oceanfront and back three days a week. He soaks up the view of the Chesapeake Bay, First Landing State Park and the Atlantic Ocean along the way.
From an email update:
Folks,
The construction of the new westbound Lesner Bridge has reached a point where we are about to cross the federal channel.
At this point in construction we will be temporarily closing the channel at various times during the day to allow construction vessels to load/unload material and equipment up to the center span of the bridge (span #5). Boaters should expect and plan for these periodic channel closures beginning this week and extend at least until the week of March 14th 2016.Over the next several weeks the bridge contractor will cantilever out 8 segments in span 5 from Pier #4 (west side of the channel) and then launch the gantry over to Piers #5 and #6 (east side of the channel) and build out span 6. The U.S. Coast Guard, Virginia and Maryland Pilots Association have also been made aware of these intermittent closures.
We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work in and around the federal channel during the month of March 2016.
Sincerely,
-Chris
Zoomed screen shot of construction camera from this morning
Click here for a printable version of the 2.29.16 SDCC Agenda
You won’t want to miss this meeting, lots of great presentations line up. Come out and meet your neighbors and learn about the many projects being planned in our neighborhoods.
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday February 29, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentations –
Officer’s Reports
Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Shore Drive to Oceanfront Bus Loop – Update on proposed seasonal bus route between Shore Drive and the Oceanfront. The trial has been delayed to May 2017 and will not happen this year.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Shore Drive and Stratford Intersection Improvement – CIP 2.300.119 to be worked 1/2017 to 7/2017 will include a new traffic signal (black mast arms and poles), pedestrian crossing signals, stamped asphalt crosswalks, additional sidewalk, new curb & gutter, and a new asphalt overlay in the intersection with thermoplastic pavement markings.
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Remember to VOTE tomorrow in either the Democrat or the Republican Primaries.
The polls are open between 6am and 7pm.
Next SDCC Meeting – Monday March 28, 2016
February 9th 2016 update:
Lesner Bridge Aficionados and Engineering Observers:
Through the freezing temperatures, the mixture of rain, snow and sleet, and the blustery winds blowing off the Bay that make this a true winter garden spot in the South – and with Christmas Eve with temps in the 80’s a distant memory – crews have persevered and continued to move along on the Lesner Bridge Replacement project. Exactly how and what is better explained by the project manager and a favorite of bridge groupies everywhere – Chris Wojtowicz.
So, to be really informed, keep scrolling down and read the informative update that Chris has supplied us while freezing his . . . cheeks off . . . . on the bridge project site.
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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVkeFJWm85s&feature=youtu.be
As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.
If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them. Please feel free to pass this along to others.
Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project. Please be careful during these icy times and if you happen to be riding by the site and see Chris freezing out there, stop and pet him on the head and give him something hot to drink. He’ll be your friend for life!
Stay warm!
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353****************************************************************
Folks:
As winter begins to remake its cold presence felt, the bridge contractor is about to reach mid-span of the new westbound Lesner Bridge. But before we discuss the upcoming work, I want to mention what has been completed since the December update:
Ø Span 3 (of 10) of the new westbound Lesner Bridge was completed in early January 2016;
Ø The gantry crane has been launched to span 4 and is currently being loaded with the pre-cast concrete segments for span 4;
Ø The footings and columns for piers 5 and 6 have been completed;
Ø The footing for pier 7 has been completed;
Ø We completed segment casting for spans 5 and 6;
Ø The 36-inch storm drain that crossed Cape Henry Drive in the area located just east of Bubba’s Restaurant was installed;
Ø The mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall located along the former Duck Inn property was completed; and
Ø We completed conduit and duct installation on the east side of the bridge behind Abutment B.
Completed Spans 1, 2, and 3 of the new Westbound Lesner Bridge
The wet, cool, and windy weather is slowing our progress since we need the mating surfaces of the concrete segments to be dry and at or above 40° F in order for us to apply the water sealing epoxy prior to joining the segments together.
Wind is the other constraint that we have in operating the gantry crane and it cannot be operated when the wind is gusting above 30 MPH. Winter work next to Chesapeake Bay and over Lynnhaven Inlet has been a challenge for us these last several weeks. Span 4 of the new westbound bridge was scheduled to be completed by 1/20/2016, but the various winter weather events and the upcoming cold and windy forecast have caused that schedule to slip at least until 2/19/2016. Considering this current delay, the new westbound bridge is now expected to be complete by August 2016, and the traffic switch moved to the new bridge sometime in September 2016. The contractor is now making Saturdays and some Sundays regular work days in an effort to make up some of this lost schedule.
Completed Column and Footing for Piers 4 (background), 5 (formwork still attached), and 6 (foreground)
Although critical construction work has slowed on the bridge superstructure, other non-critical work on the bridge substructure continues. The steel reinforcement for pier column 7 has been tied is being readied for placement on the recently completed footing. The column formwork has been removed from pier column 5 and will be moved to pier 7 to form up the new column.
At the same time, all of the epoxy coating on the completed footing at pier 9 has been applied and all of the shoring removed and re-installed at pier 8. Excavation for the footing at pier 8 continues and will be completed this week. By 2/12/2016, we expect to have the column for pier 7 fully formed and the footing for pier 8 excavated, the drilled shaft foundations cut down to plan elevations, and footing formwork installed.
Typical segments being positioned at Pier Column 4
We are also aware of several potholes that have formed on the east side of the bridge along the westbound lanes between the bridge and Page Avenue. We expect to have them filled before the end of the week. Many of you have also phoned and emailed about our construction camera being down. For a variety of reasons, this camera has been offline more often than not. The camera is working now and we hope that we have corrected the operating issues.
We have also installed a second camera on the east side of the inlet to better document our work as the bridge construction continues to progress to the east side of the inlet. This second camera is available from the same internet link as the original one provided at http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge.com If this link does not work, please try http://www.workzonecam.com/projects/rshcs Thank you all for alerting us to this issue.
Utility conduits being installed inside the westbound Lesner Bridge
Utility installation inside the completed bridge spans has also begun. This work will continue and will be timed such that as the last span of the bridge is completed, the internal utility installation will also be near completion. This work is critical in relocating the various utilities from the existing bridges to the new westbound bridge within an acceptable timeframe so as to not delay the start of the old bridge demolition and new eastbound bridge construction.
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the new westbound bridge segments. A total of 115 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast.
**A word of driver caution: As we deliver the segments to the project site or to the gantry, Virginia Beach Police will temporarily stop traffic at the Shore Drive/East Stratford Street Intersection for a few minutes to assist the segment delivery trucks in safely crossing this intersection. These deliveries are not on a set schedule, but will generally occur between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 pm M-F and on some Saturdays, so please be careful as you approach this intersection.**
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
Ø Deliver and load the gantry with the remaining span 4 bridge segments
Ø Install the temporary post-tensioning bars and epoxy the span 4 segments
Ø Install and post-tension the permanent tendons through the bridge segments in span 4 of 10 of the westbound bridge
Ø Form and place the concrete in the column for Pier #7
Ø Form and place the concrete in the footing for Pier #8
Ø Install various utilities inside the completed sections of the westbound bridge
Ø Install the new storm drain structures along East Stratford Street on the north side of Shore Drive.
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
Screen shot of new camera
New link to both cameras here.
We’ve added that link in our left column too.
[Note: Original camera requires Flash installed.]
Photo at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility
On the way to being installed.
December 15 2015 update:
Lesner Bridge Fans and Holiday Revelers:
As we head into the holiday season, what better gift could there be for bridge project fans than a Lesner Bridge project update from Santa’s favorite elf/helper/project manager – Chris Wojtowicz?
Work on the project has been steady and benefitted somewhat by the mild temperatures we have had the last 4-6 weeks. Crews are moving along quite well, and the project continues to progress each day.
Just a quick holiday reminder: Taking pictures of the bridge under construction and turning them into tree ornaments has become quite a fad with the residents along Shore Drive. Who knows? Maybe we can get Chris to stand in the picture as well – just leave a snack out by the Christmas tree.
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:
As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.
If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them. Please feel free to pass this along to others.
Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project. Please enjoy the holidays and your time with family and friends.
AND PLEASE 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*************************************************************************************************************
It’s been a while since the last project update in October and, as many of you have noticed, a lot has been happening since then.
Ø We have recently completed the construction of span 2 (of 10) of the new westbound Lesner Bridge and crews are working hard to have the 3rd span complete by Christmas.
Ø Ahead of the superstructure construction, work continues on the substructure (footings and pier columns). The footing and pier column for Pier 4 have been completed as well as the footings for both Piers 6 and 9. The seal slab and formwork for the Pier 5 footing were installed this week and the reinforcing steel for the column at Pier 6 has been installed.
Given that this mild and calm December weather continues, we expect to have concrete placed both in the footing of Pier 5 and in the column for Pier 6 prior to the Holiday break.
Completed Spans 1 and 2 of the new Westbound Lesner Bridge
Completed Column and Footing for Pier 4
Pier segment being positioned at Pier Column 3
Ø Utility work also continues on the east side of Lesner Bridge. A new 8-inch water main was installed along Cape Henry Drive (in front of Lesner Inn) and the new 16-inch water main was partially installed along Shore Drive in the eastern approach to the new bridge. Power and communication conduits and duct are currently being installed behind Abutment B (next to the former Duck Inn property) and will be complete by next week (12/18/2015. A new stormwater structure is now being installed on the south side of Cape Henry Drive near the intersection of Vista Circle.
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the new bridge segments. A total of 90 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast.
A word of driver caution: As we deliver the segments to the project site or to the gantry, Virginia Beach Police will temporarily stop traffic at the Shore Drive/East Stratford Street Intersection for a few minutes to assist the segment delivery trucks in safely crossing this intersection. These deliveries are not on a set schedule, but will generally occur between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 pm M-F and on some Saturdays, so be careful as you approach this intersection.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
Ø Deliver and load the gantry with the span 3 bridge segments
Ø Install the temporary post-tensioning bars and epoxy the span 3 segments
Ø Install and post-tension the permanent tendons through the bridge segments in span 3 of 10 of the westbound bridge
Ø Complete the concrete placement for the footing in Pier 5
Ø Form and place the concrete in the column for Pier #6
Ø Install the 16-inch water main in the new bridge approach along Shore Drive between Abutment B and the tie-in at Page Avenue
Ø Complete the MSE wall and temporary wire wall on the east side of the bridge along the former Duck Inn propertyHave a Wonderful and Safe Holiday Season!
– 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
October 16th 2015 update:
To All the Travelers and Fans of the Lesner Bridge:
As we view summer in the rear view mirror and creep into cooler weather, Public Works offers you the latest chapter in our story of: The Lesner Bridge Replacement Project. Brought to you by bridge master and author Chris “Wojo” Wojtowicz, this latest update will inform and enlighten. It also has pictures!
Work at the bridge is moving along quite well, and crews continue to progress each day. Things are changing weekly, so if you haven’t had the opportunity to check out what is going on there, please do so. It really is quite impressive.
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.
As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.
If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them. Please feel free to pass this along to others.
Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project. Enjoy the fall days and great weather – nor’easters and Joaquin aside – as we ease into cooler days and nights.
Take care, and stay safe.
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353*********************************************************************************
Friends:
Assembly of span 1 (of 10) for the new westbound bridge is well underway!
Since the last project update, the erection gantry has been load tested and certified for use in assembling the pre-cast concrete segments into the superstructure of the new bridge. All of the Span 1 segments have been placed into position and are currently being epoxied and temporarily post-tensioned in place in preparation for installing the ten permanent tendons that will hold the bridge span together when we move the gantry to span #2. This is a very important step in the bridge construction process since the temporary post-tensioning system holds the bridge geometry in place until the permanent tendons can be installed and stressed.
Once these tendons are stressed to their specified force, the hanging bars holding the bridge segments in place can be released and the gantry moved forward to the next bridge span. Right now, the contractor is installing five 1-3/8” diameter steel bars inside each of the bridge segments; two in each “wing” of the segment and one along the bottom centerline of the segments.
Epoxy is applied to the faces of the two segments that are about to be pulled together and then the four “wing” post tensioning bars are each pulled with a jacking force of 150,000 lbs. (150 kips) and the bottom centerline bar is pulled with a jacking force of 100 kips. This securely locks the two segments together creating a watertight seal and ensuring that the bridge geometry doesn’t change prior to installing the permanent tendons. After two segments are assembled, couplers are installed on the steel bars and the process repeated until all segments at connected from abutment to pier or from pier to pier.
Bridge Segments Attached to Erection Gantry with Hanging Bars (Westbound Bridge) Epoxy Applied to Segment Faces Just Prior to Post-Tensioning (Westbound Bridge)
Bridge Interior Looking at Pier 1 from Abutment A (Westbound Bridge) Bridge Interior at Joints After Temporary Post Tensioning (Westbound Bridge)
Bridge Interior Looking at Pier 1 from Abutment A (Westbound Bridge) Bridge Interior at Joints After Temporary Post Tensioning (Westbound Bridge)
All of the segments for Span 2 of the bridge have been delivered the project site and are being stored in the laydown yard behind the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps. Installation of these Span 2 segments will begin in November and continue into the first week of December.
Ahead of the erection gantry work continues on the footings for the remaining bridge columns. The construction joint in the Pier 4 footing is being prepared for the final concrete placement, the seal slab and footing formwork for Pier 6 has been set and is being readied for the placement of reinforcing steel. Cofferdams at Piers 7 and 9 have been installed in preparation for installing the footing formwork.
Construction of WB Bridge Abutment B was completed on Monday (10/12/15).
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the new bridge segments. A total of 74 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast.
In addition to the bridge work, the contractor has begun utility work on the east side of the bridge near Bubba’s and the Lesner Inn. A new 8-inch water line is being installed along Cape Henry Drive from the Maryland Pilots Association towards the former Starbucks location. This line will cross Shore Drive in front of Bubba’s and tie into the new 16-inch water main being installed in the approach for the new westbound bridge. This utility work will require periodic daytime and nighttime lane closures on Shore Drive at the Vista Circle intersection.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
Ø Install and post-tension the permanent tendons through the bridge segments in span 1 of 10 of the westbound bridge
Ø Complete the last concrete placement in the footing of Pier #4
Ø Form and place the concrete in the footing for Pier #6
Ø Install the 8-inch and 16-inch water mains within Shore Drive
Ø Grade and pave the western approach to the bridge (in front of 3556 On The Bay Condominiums)
Ø Erect falsework at Pier 2 and prep for erection gantry support installation
That’s about it for now.
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
Sorry! No screen shot of Construction Camera like we usually do. Site is down.
September 29th 2015 update:
To All Lesner Bridge Aficionados:
As I cling to the last few days of summer, the latest update about the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project from the bridge wizard and project manager, Chris Wojtowicz, crosses my desk. If you are interested at all in the Lesner Bridge project, this is must reading.
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. It really is 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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBGfmBs6Efw&feature=youtu.be
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 Indian summer as we ease into cooler days and nights. And please – no one say the word “snow.”
Take care, and stay safe.
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353It’s been a while since the last update and, as many of you have seen, a lot has happened since then as the bridge begins to take shape.
The first bridge segment was installed for the westbound bridge on August 21st. Since that time both pier segments (Pier #1) and the abutment segment (Abutment A) have been set on their bearings, sealed, and post-tensioned. The remaining 14 segments for span 1 of 10 have been loaded into the launching gantry and are currently being readied to be set into position. Post-tensioning and gluing of these span 1 segments will begin on or about October 1st, and will continue into the first week of November.
Bridge Segment at Abutment A (Westbound Bridge)
Bridge Segments at Pier #1 (Westbound Bridge)
Span 1 Bridge Segments in Ready Position (Westbound Bridge)
All of the segments for spans 2, 3, and 4 have been cast for the westbound bridge. The segments for span 2 of the bridge are now beginning to arrive at the project site and are being stored in the laydown yard behind the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps. Installation of these span 2 segments will begin in November and continue into the first week of December.
All of the drilled shaft foundations for the westbound bridge have been completed. The footing for Pier #4 has been partially placed and the seal slabs for Piers #5 and #6 have been delivered to the project and are being readied for placement at the respective footings. The cofferdam at Pier #7 has been installed and is being prepared for installing the footing formwork. The cofferdams and footings for Piers #8 and #9 will be installed in early 2016.
Seal Slabs for Pier Footings #5 and #6 (Westbound Bridge)
Cofferdam at Pier #7 (Westbound Bridge)
The second of three concrete pours at Abutment B (next to the former Duck Inn property) took place on August 19th, 2015. The final concrete placement at Abutment B will take place next Thursday, October 1st. The forms will be stripped the week of October 12th, and the MSE wall located adjacent to Abutment B will be completed by October 23rd.
Backwall Reinforcing Steel and Formwork for Abutment B (Westbound Bridge)
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the new bridge segments. A total of 73 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast. They are currently casting out the center span (Span #5) of the westbound bridge.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
Ø Post-Tension and glue the bridge segments in span 1 of 10
Ø Complete the footing for Pier #4
Ø Complete the footing for Pier #6
Ø Grade the footing for Pier #7
Ø Complete construction of Abutment B
Ø Begin waterline installation work on the east side of the bridge near Page Avenue and Shore Drive
That’s it for now. 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
Screen shot of Construction Cam photo taken September 26th 1 hour 10 minutes before high tide at Virginia Pilot Station.
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 Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353
***********************************************“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.
View video report at WAVY.com.
“Biologists have designed this, and they have been amazingly successful in reducing the number of collisions birds have with power lines, reducing the number of fatalities and also reducing the number of outages for people who are dependent on these lines,” Harris said.
The fireflies are placed along the power lines. One-by-one, they were installed on cables running across the Lesner Bridge Friday.
A flight crew from Haverfield Aviation attaches a bird repellent called a firefly to power lines beside the Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach.
Credit: Walter Hildebrand/WAVY TV
View photos at WAVY.com of project.
Side note: There are as many seagulls that roam the earth as unicorns. Huh?
There. Is. No. Such. Things. As. A. Seagull.
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 Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353**************************************
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
Lynnhaven Colony Civic League is hosting a talk plus Q & A on current / future updates on the Lesner Bridge. Mr. Chris Wojtowicz, City of VB Project Manager, will be the guest speaker. The session will be held this coming Saturday, June 20, 9:00 a.m. at Dockside Restaurant on Vista Circle.
For those of us that live and drive over the bridge we need to be aware of upcoming lane changes, open walking areas and bike routes.
Guests are welcome.
May 19th 2015 update:
Friends and Fans of the Lesner Bridge Project:
The heat and beach weather have finally arrived, so you can officially put snow plows and ice and sand and salt out of your mind. Progress on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project is moving onward, and we continue to receive a number of requests for information and updates – to which we gladly respond.
Below is the latest collection of facts and figures and other details – – updated for your reading pleasure – from Chris Wojtowicz, poster boy and mayor 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 the summer weather. . . AND STAY SAFE!
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353The bridge contractor has completed the erection of the temporary steel falsework between Pier #1 and Abutment A (this is near 3556 On The Bay condominiums) and has installed the support towers that the gantry trusses will rest on. The large yellow girders for this gantry crane will begin to be assembled on the beach next week. Once assembled, they will be moved to the temporary steel falsework to complete the assembly of the gantry crane.
Temporary Falsework Tower Support at Pier #1
Pre-casting of the bridge segments at Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth, VA is now on a regular production schedule. 40 of the 177 bridge segments have been cast. In other words, we now have enough segments to complete 2 of the 10 spans in the westbound bridge and will likely have the third span complete by Memorial Day. As soon as the gantry crane is assembled, the contractor will begin delivering the segments to the project site.
The foundation work on the westbound bridge continues. All of the drilled shafts for Pier #4 have been installed and the Contractor is anticipating the completion of the drilled shafts at Pier #5 by 5/21/2015. There are 9 piers per bridge, therefore the Contractor is already past the halfway mark in the drilled shaft installation.
Drilled Shaft Installation at Pier #5 (Temporary Trestle being assembled in background as preparation for foundation construction at Pier #7)
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will;
Ø Mobilize the utility barges and drilling equipment to Pier #7 (east side of the Federal Channel in the Lynnhaven Inlet);
Ø Mobilize cranes to Abutment B (next to the former Duck Inn site) to prepare for driving piles for the abutment foundation and temporary retaining wall;
Ø Continue work on the temporary overhead crane installation at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site;
Ø Dewater the cofferdam at Pier #3 and begin construction of the concrete cap at this pier location;
Please note, that when the Contractor begins installing the temporary retaining wall on the east side of Lesner Bridge next to Shore Drive he will have to temporarily close the outside lane of WB Shore Drive between Page Avenue and the bridge. All this work will be performed at night between the hours of 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
Through these project updates we’ve discussed a lot about the construction of the new bridges. Now as the project moves along we will be providing some information on the aesthetics of the new bridge – how the new bridge will look once complete. The new bridge will have a coating (TexCote® 300 Bridge Cote® ) Palomino Beige in color that will give the bridge a “finished” look as well as a protective layer to help protect the concrete from the elements as well as graffiti. The first application of this coating will be applied to the MSE wall near 3556 On the Bay Condominiums and Abutment A also located in this area.
Bridge Coating – TexCote® 300 Bridge Cote® (Palomino Beige shown in upper left panel)
One last bit of information. We have posted a 3D animation of the bridge construction sequence on our website at http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge The link is posted on the right side of the page under ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and is titled “Lesner Bridge Construction Sequence Animation”. This animation has been prepared using the expected sequence of construction to be used by the Contractor and shows – in scale – the relative size of the new bridges compared to the old bridges and how the traffic patterns will change over time as we move through the 5 phases of construction (we are in Phase 2 right now). We are also preparing a presentation that we will present periodically to the general public on the weekend. Dates and location have not yet been determined, but once we have the schedule we will post to the City’s website as well as send via this email update. This schedule and presentation will also be made available to the Bayfront Advisory Committee.
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
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.18.15 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday May 18, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Program/Presentation – No presentation planned.
Officer’s Reports Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business–
Bishard Development Update – City Council’s May 5th review meeting was deferred. New date is expected to be June 2nd. Baylake Pines Civic League is meeting with Mr. Bishard to discuss changes/proffers. City Traffic Engineers informed that sidewalk will be installed along Shore Drive, a turn lane will be installed at the existing median cut across from gas station to allow westbound cars to “U-turn” to head eastbound, stacking should not be a problem.
Lesner Bridge Replacement– New animated construction video posted on www.sdcc.info. Walkway protection to be added to east side of bridge to prevent restaurant parking from blocking sidewalk.
New Business –
Proposed City Tree Task Force – SDCC is working with City Staff/Arborist to create a task force to discuss ways to help protect the City’s official tree (Live Oak) and maintain residential property rights. Roadway encroachment lead to the planned removal of trees (200+ years old) at Shore Drive & Kleen St.
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities –
NEXT SDCC Meeting – Monday June 29th at 7:30pm
Ya know the terrific south side multi use path heading over the Lesner?
You might have noticed it got blocked again this past weekend on east side by parked vehicles.
No date on when the extra love will show up but there’ll be temporary fencing installed to keep it open.
Hooray!
Hooray for the new extra love for the City of Virginia Beach Official Tree at the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility!
We couldn’t understand why they weren’t already carefully marked off to protect them from the 3 year construction project – so we asked.
Orange fencing to add some extra visual cues for the hard working crews
Orange fencing to add some extra visual cues for the hard working crews
Love live oaks too?
Join Friends of Live Oaks today!
Live oaks are designated as the official tree of the City of Virginia Beach, and with good reason. Native to the area, live oaks were here long before European settlers. The tree is one of the most distinctive and recognizable plants in the city and immediately brings to mind our coastal areas and maritime ecosystem.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 