By Kathy Hieatt
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 15, 2015
The Shore Drive corridor along the Chesapeake Bay is a gateway to the Oceanfront for lots of summer visitors, but many simply bypass the area on the way to the Atlantic and don’t return until it’s time to leave.
To read the rest of Kathy’s article, click here
News including more photos and video at WTKR.com. (Please note: Audio starts by default at WTKR.com.)
A white SUV and red pick-up truck were also involved in the crash. Both had to be towed from the scene.
Photo by Steven Linne, WTKR Viewer.
From NOAA Hurricane Center website:
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season will likely be below-normal, but that’s no reason to believe coastal areas will have it easy.
And:
“A below-normal season doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. As we’ve seen before, below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities,” said NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., referring to the 1992 season in which only seven named storms formed, yet the first was Andrew – a Category 5 Major Hurricane that devastated South Florida.
From an email:
Dear School, Community, and Media Partners,
Below is our official statewide Virginia State Parks press release for the June 6, 2015 Clean the Bay Day and National Trails Day events. However, I summarized our Hampton Roads programs and events for you. You can always find up to date event and program information, included guided hikes, guided kayak trips, crafts, fishing clinics, and more by visiting http://www.virginiastateparks.gov and clicking “What to Do”.
If you or any of your staff are interested in covering these programs for your media outlet, please feel free to contact me at staci.martin@dcr.virgnia.gov or 757-477-4046 so I can coordinate your visit. We sincerely appreciate your help in promoting these events to help keep our trails and waterways clean and healthy for outdoor recreation. (Please feel free to email me at staci.martin@dcr.virginia.gov to be removed from my event distribution list.)
First Landing State Park—VA Beach: 9 a.m. to 12noon Join volunteers all across Virginia in collecting trash and other debris in and around our local waterways. Volunteers will clean up areas around the Bald Cypress Swamps, Broad Bay, and of course the beach along the Chesapeake Bay. Meet at the Chesapeake Bay Center to register and pick up supplies.
False Cape State Park—VA Beach: Be a part of the Annual Clean the Bay & National Trails Day by getting outdoors and enjoying a day making a difference. Join park staff and volunteers in helping keep our beaches pristine by picking up shoreline debris or help spruce-up one of the many trails found within the park. Reservations are required. No charge. Call 757-426-7128 to reserve a spot.
Kiptopeke State Park—Eastern Shore: 9 a.m. – 12noon Come out and help us collect the items that the wind and waves have brought to Kiptopeke State Park. We will be picking up trash and marine debris on the beach, parking lots and trails. There is no entrance fee to the park and trash bags will be provided. Please tell the front gate staff that you are here for the clean up and they will direct you to the waterfront shed.
Chippokes Plantation State Park—Surry: Clean the Bay Day gets the public actively involved in improving the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay by removing trash and contaminants in the bay’s watershed. During 2014’s Clean the Bay Day, 6,000 volunteers picked up 110,000 pounds of trash along more than 450 miles of shoreline. Let’s do better! Chippokes will be offering the following programs to contribute to the event:
9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
Beach Cleanup
Leave your mark on the quality of the park and the bay! See the contact ranger inside the visitor center to get started!9:00a.m.-11:30a.m.
Let’s Go Fishing!-Children’s Fishing Tournament ($2/person $6/family)
See the types of animals that call the James River home! Meet at the footbridge on College Run Trail.York River State Park—Williamsburg: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (various programs) Celebrate the outdoors by hiking the miles of multi-purpose and hiking specific trails along Taskinas Creek and the York River. We have a full slate of ranger guided activities to enjoy. Help maintain the shoreline with our Clean The Bay Day event. The June Kid’s Fishing Tournament takes place on Woodstock Pond. Experience something new in the natural world with our Roaming Ranger. Hike along an estuarine marsh on the Taskinas Creek Trek. Take a trip thru the past with our Historic Wagon Ride. Or, take a self guided adventure alone or with a group. See individual event listings for more information http://tinyurl.com/monn927.
Belle Isle State Park—Lancaster: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Shoreline Clean-Up – Camp Store – Help keep the marshes of Belle Isle State Park clean. We will take a hayride down Neck Fields Trail and clean up trash and debris, keeping the marshes and shorelines healthy and looking good. Wear sturdy boots or waders, we will get muddy! Remember to bring plenty of water. It is also a good idea to bring some sturdy work gloves. Registration is required.*
2 p.m. That’s No Stick in the Mud – Picnic Area – If you like to hike, then you need a good hiking stick. And the best hiking sticks are decorated to showcase your style and personality! These also make a great souvenir! We’ve got everything you need to make your hiking stick truly unique. We even supply the stick! $2
4 p.m. Survival Bracelets – Picnic Area -You may have seen them in the store or on T.V., you may even own one, but would you know how to use a paracord survival bracelet? We will discuss some of the many uses of these versatile and fashionable accessories. Then, make your own paracord survival bracelet! Registration is recommended.* $5 per bracelet.
*To register, call the park office at (804) 462-5030 or stop by the camp store.
Contact: Jim Meisner Jr., DCR Public Relations Specialist, (804) 786-8442, jim.meisner@dcr.virginia.gov
Current news release is located at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/pr_relz_detail.shtml?id=2015-05-29-14-50-47-928503-d3e
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 29, 2015Celebrate National Trails Day and Clean the Bay Day
in a Virginia State Park, June 6(RICHMOND) – With more than 500 miles of trails, there’s no better place in Virginia to celebrate National Trails Day on June 6 than Virginia State Parks.
Whether hiking, biking, paddling or horseback riding, all state parks will offer special events or activities geared towards trails. State parks in the Chesapeake Bay watershed will also mark the 27th annual Clean the Bay Day with special activities.
National Trails Day is sponsored by the American Hiking Society.
Activities across Virginia include:
High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville offers the annual 5K, “Run for Your Life.” Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane has a special horseback ride planned for riders who bring their own horse. Also at Sky Meadows, cyclists looking for a new challenge can join Element Sports of Winchester for a ride on the multi-use trails at the base of the Blue Ridge backcountry.
Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield is offering three different hikes throughout the day. Grayson Highlands in Mouth of Wilson will offer different experiences, including a 9-mile trek on the Appalachian Trail to Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, and trail maintenance on the Cabin Creek Trail.
Natural Tunnel in Duffield offers a canoe trip on the Clinch River, a historic hike, a wild cave tour and a night hike to demonstrate different trail experiences. New River Trail State Park partners with Mike McMillion, owner and head Bike Mechanic of Pulaski Bikes LLC, for a demonstration of basic road and trail side maintenance.
State parks will also offer opportunities to help maintain trails and improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. At Staunton River Battlefield, in Randolph, there will be work on the initial layout and construction of a new trail around Mulberry Hill Pond. At James River State Park in Gladstone, float along the James River to Treasure Island. Visitors can earn a free wagon ride by collecting 15 pieces of trash. At First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, volunteers will clear debris from Bald Cypress swamps, Broad Bay and the beach along the Chesapeake Bay.
Read the details of these and other programs here: http://bit.ly/2015NTD. Some activities require advance registration.
Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make cabin or camping reservations, call the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 or visit http://www.virginiastateparks.gov.
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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
From Cape Henry Shores Neighborhood Watch email:
A biker was hit at Bayberry St. and the bike trail on Monday 5/18 at
around 4:30 p.m. The driver of the car stopped to check on him but
then left. The person was an older lady with shoulder length gray
hair. She was driving a late model gray sedan—that now has a dent in
the front. The police were called and are seeking witnesses as well
as the person who hit him. If anyone has any information on this
driver, please call 385-5000.
“It would have been catastrophic, so those fire crews, they did a bang-up job,” she said. “We were blessed. We didn’t lose occupants, we didn’t lose pets. Property can be replaced.”
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!
Tragic.
More at WAVY.com.
…removed because of its impaired health & close proximity to Shore Drive.
Sad but true.
This is the remaining live oak at Kleen Street & Shore Drive.
Upset as much as everyone else is that this must happen!?
There are a few simple things you can do right now.
Subscribe to our emailed newsletter The Advocate
Contact Landscape Management Services of VB if you have concerns
Why?
The COVB has a great group of people including Susan French, City Arborist & her team yet they need help from us – the caring public – to ensure we all do our best to keep & increase our precious urban tree canopy.
Susan is very approachable and loves meeting people & chatting about trees. Call 757-385-4461 to reach her.
Stay tuned for future news about how you can help.
It is great see to the brutal honesty of the amount of work left to do to protect and increase our precious tree canopy.
Subscribe to The Advocate to learn more about what we’ll be announcing soon to help
Start here to Subscribe to The Advocate – your resource for the latest news & info about the Shore Drive community.
The creation of this plan not only lays the framework for sustainable urban forest management in Virginia Beach, it indicates a high level of commitment to protecting trees and sharing knowledge about the important environmental, economic and social roles trees play in building healthy sustainable communities. The benefits of trees can be maximized when both professional management resources and an educated public coexist.
Protecting Pleasure House Point was used as a good example of what to do
Read more about our local coffee house moving on in a recent Virginian-Pilot Beacon article by Irene Bowers
SAYING GOODBYE TO COFFEE, AND CONVERSATION By Irene Bowers
After 16 years, the conversation will be tabled at 3273 Shore Drive Starbucks.
Since its opening in 1999, a loyal contingent of coffee lovers has found the perfect blend of people and place, beneath the billboard at the foot of Lesner Bridge. With its May closure looming, the shop’s longest running coffee klatch is savoring every drop.
Inspired by a great presentation at tonight’s meeting by Mike Vernon of Flood Mitigation Hampton Roads.
Be sure to check out the new section over at SDCC.info/HOT.
The new info is shown below:
You’ll be seeing a lot more information in this space in the coming weeks. (Posted April 27th ’15)
Here’s a good place to start in the meantime.
Search Results for: National Flood Insurance Program at SDCC.info
FEMA.gov: National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System
FEMA Region III: Virginia Beach Flood Information Portal Map
Screen grab of Virginia Beach Flood Information Portal map
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.
It could have been much worse, Fire Marshal Tassone said. The close proximity of the buildings helped the fire spread, but the wind was calm until after the fire was under control.
A fire at a condo complex on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach displaced more than 20 people on Thursday night, April 23, 2015. (Stephen M. Katz | The Virginian-Pilot)
Coverage including video (that annoyingly starts with sound by default) and photos at 13 News Now.
Fireman trying to fight the flames at the Page Court condo fire on April 23, 2015. (Photo: Bobbi Sawyers?,13News Now viewer
2 alarm fire located on Page Court just east of Lesner Bridge.
More than 20 people were displaced by a two-alarm condo fire overnight in the 2300 block of Page Court.
A fire at a condo complex on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach displaced more than 20 people on Thursday night, April 23, 2015. (Stephen M. Katz | The Virginian-Pilot)
Coverage at WAVY.com includes video.
Six firefighters were injured battling an overnight fire that damaged 18 units in Virginia Beach and forced many residents out of their homes.
Coverage at WTKR.com includes “raw video” & photos.
Virginia Natural Gas and Dominion Virginia Power responded during the fire to secure a ruptured gas line and downed power lines.
Coverage at 13NewsNow.com including video & photos.
Ben L, who lives about 75 yards from the building where the fire started, said it was the scariest thing he ever saw. As he watched the flames move from building to building, he worried his would be next.
From a witness:
I was very proud to see a strong Ocean Park VRS response for this emergency. Two ambulances and three ALS providers, all from Ocean Park, plus a fantastic response from Company 1 and the VBFD. I saw Chief Cover on scene at 1am in his jeans helping out, and Chief McAndrews had it all under control. Three state of the art ladder trucks in the air with their master streams flowing was an awesome spectacle, and Support 8 with their volunteers arrived to assist with rehab and salvage. The Police kept a good perimeter and the neighbors kept a respectful distance and took in the displaced fire victims. There is a reason we have one of the top Emergency Response systems in the country, and this was a perfect illustration of how things can work well between agencies. Our EMS Chiefs on the scene kept us informed and safe, and Ocean Park even offered up shelter and food at the station for anyone that needed it, but there were no takers. I think the neighbors took care of their own! It is horrible when something like this happens, but I’m proud we can all come together and prevent the loss of life and further property.
Screenshot from #LESNERBRIDGE construction camera of photo from April 24 2015 1am.
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 4.27.15 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday April 27, 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 – Flood Mitigation and Flood Insurance Presentation by Mike Vernon of Flood Mitigation Hampton Roads (www.floodmitigationhr.com) and Scott Hunter of Comparity (www.comparityins.com). Mr. Vernon and Mr. Hunter will explain different home improvements and methods that can help lower flood insurance premiums.
Officer’s Reports Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business–
Bishard Development Update – Upper school site rezoning was approved by Planning Commission. City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed development at their Tuesday May 5th meeting. Baylake Pines Civic League opposed the development at the Planning Commission.
City Comprehensive Plan – Planning Commission Workshop meetings being held. Public can attend to listen only. What happens next? Schedule can be found here www.vbgov.com/government/departments/planning/2015ComprehensivePlan/Pages/default.aspx
Lesner Bridge Safety Update – News from walk through between SDCC representatives and Project Manager Chris Wojtowicz. Speed bump removal, cross walk adjustments, traffic light position.
New Business –
Shore Drive an Award Winning Community –Cape Story by the Sea won the Council of Civic Organizations Community Action award and CBF’s Brock Center won the State Environmental Excellence Award.
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Clean the Bay Day Sat. June 6th – Register to volunteer at www.cbf.org/events/clean-the-bay-day/city-of-virginia-beach
Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities
Next SDCC Meeting – Monday May 18, 2015 – ***NOTE this is a week early due to Memorial Day***.
From a City of Virginia Beach News Release about #LESNERBRIDGE
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT:
April 13, 2015 Drew Lankford, (757) 385-8062
(757) 409-4353
dlankfor@vbgov.comUpdate on Crane Incident at Lesner Bridge Project
Earlier this afternoon one of the cranes being used to build the new Lesner Bridge rolled on its side as the crane operator was moving a piece of material. We are thankful that no one was hurt during this incident. Virginia Beach Police, Fire & Rescue immediately responded to assess the situation and have since left the site. The crane is located on the beach near 3556 Shore Drive and rolled toward Chesapeake Bay. Only the boom of the crane is in the bay. There have been no reported spills or discharges of hazardous materials from this incident.
McLean Contracting (the crane’s owner) is currently investigating the cause of this accident.
Westbound traffic on Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge is unaffected other than the slowing down due to rubbernecking. Traffic on eastbound Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge is heavy due to the paving operation taking place at the Vista Circle intersection which will be completed by approximately 4:00 PM this afternoon. Expect delays in this area through the PM rush hour.
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#WeLoveShoreDrive 