Category Archives: Safety

Virginia Beach and Hurricane(s)

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Neighborhood Storm Readiness
As the city enters another hurricane season, we are reminded that we are vulnerable to nature’s furry. Most of us would like to place hurricane preparations on our “B” or “C” list of priorities because so many chores and duties take up our time. We may think that we are ready, or can be ready in just a short time, but you may be surprised at how much time it takes to prepare for a major storm. Just consider how long it takes you to pack for a trip or vacation, and that is something that you want to do. I know. I just got back from Brussels, and I am a planner.

Recently, the hurricane predictors estimated how many hurricanes the area might experience in the coming year. In my opinion, I think such a government endeavor misses the mark. It is not how many hurricanes that may impact you, but if one should hit our area. Consider that hurricane Andrew was the first hurricane that year to hit the east coast and that it was a Cat 5. South of Miami was devastated while the residents were obviously aware of a hurricane’s potential.

We can only do so much here in VB, but we can put together a basic plan for ourselves and family. The city cannot provide enough storm shelters to help out more than about 10% of the people in the most endangered flood prone areas. If you plan on evacuating the area, consider that it will be very difficult if done too late (within 36-48 hours or more before the onset of TROPICAL Force Winds).

So, if you cannot evacuate, your area floods and there are no shelters for you and your family, what are your options? Stay where you are or hope to find a friend in a safer area? I think this is the time to to consider such principle questions for your basic planning, not when the weather lady points out a developing tropical depression that is soon to be named a hurricane.

If you do anything for yourself and family, consider what you would need in a basic emergency kit for your home to provide three days of support. There are multiple sites to help with your list making and planning. SDCC will put more information on our website to help with your planning shortly.

NOAA: Below-normal Atlantic Hurricane Season is likely this year

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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.

Outlook_2015_FINAL

Visit Hurricanes.gov to learn more.

HURRICANE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY, May 25-31 and Aug 7-9 2015

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What’s Exempt:

During both periods, purchases of certain supplies and equipment needed for hurricane preparedness will be exempt from sales tax. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period, but they are responsible for paying the tax on those items to the Department of Taxation.
For more information, see the attached list of tax holiday items and the frequently asked questions at Hurricane Preparedness Equipment Holiday FAQs Virginia.gov.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY
APPENDIX — LIST OF QUALIFYING ITEMS
May 25 – May 31

Sales Price of $60 or less
The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday,” provided that such items have a selling price of $60 or less per item.

• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice
• Batteries (excluding automobile or boat batteries), including
o AAA cell
o AA cell
o C cell
o D cell
o 6 volt
o 9 volt
o Cell phone batteries
• Any portable self-powered light sources including
o Flashlights
o Lanterns
o Glow sticks
• Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Bungee cords, rope
• Ground anchor systems or tie down kits
• Ratchet straps
• Duct tape
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Smoke detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers
• Water storage containers
• Nonelectric food storage coolers
• Bottled water
• Manual can openers
• Portable self-powered radios (including self-powered radios with electrical power capability)
• Two-way radios
• Weather band radios and NOAA weather radios
• Storm shutter devices
• Cell phone chargers
• First Aid Kits

Sales Price of $1,000 or less
The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday,” provided that such items have a selling price of $1000 or less per item.
• Portable generators and generator power cords
• Inverters and inverter power cables

Chain saws
For the 2014 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday period and all subsequent periods, gas-powered chain saws with a selling price of $350 or less and chain saw accessories with a sales price of $60 or less may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax. The following is an all-inclusive list of the items that are deemed “chain saw accessories”:
• Chains
• Chain saw bar and nose lubricants
• Two-cycle motor oil
• Chain sharpeners and files
• Bars
• Wrenches
• Carrying cases and scabbards
• Safety apparel, including chaps, gloves, hearing protectors, helmets, and protective glasses
• Repair parts

Thanks for the info about this Empsy!

#LESNERBRIGE update from Project Manager – “The large yellow girders for this gantry crane will begin to be assembled on the beach next week.”

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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 Beach

dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

The 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

A biker was hit on bike trail on Monday May 18th – please call 385-5000 with info to help find driver of vehicle.

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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.

“A preliminary report by the Fire Department ruled the April 23 fire accidental. It was likely caused by an electrical failure behind one of the units, Fire Investigator Alana Cooper said this afternoon.”

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More at Pilotonline.com. 

“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.”

“I wanted to let you know that the large, damaged Live Oak that we spoke about at the corner of Shore Dr. and Kleen St. was removed …”

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Email posted unedited.

Gentlemen,

I wanted to let you know that the large, damaged Live Oak that we spoke about at the corner of Shore Dr. and Kleen St. was removed today. A Miss Utility ticket has gone in for both stumps to be ground, and we hope to be able to take care of removing them next week. I’m very sorry that this tree had to be removed due to extensive decay and structural issues, but I’m glad that removal was carried out without causing damage or harm. We’ll be planting a replacement live oak this fall, however it won’t be at this same site due to the proximity to the roadway at this intersection.

Best wishes,

Susan

Susan French
City Arborist, Landscape Management Division
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
ISA Certified Arborist #MA-4747A

Landscape Management | 4141 Dam Neck Road | Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone 757-385-4076 | Fax 757-427-1895 | sfrench@vbgov.com | VBgov.com/parks

Connect with Parks & Rec!
Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/VBParksRec
Sign up for our email newsletters: VBgov.com/eNews

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association

We appreciate the work that went into trying to save this live oak.

Susan loves meeting people in the field to chat about live oaks, The City Tree, and any other tree for that matter!

Preserving precious live oaks at beloved LBR&BF and public safety

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Some photos of recent pruning of live oaks at beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility. 

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Planned is some cabling, a fence around both to strongly discourage climbing, which could lead to them being cut down for public safety reasons, plus signage with information about these live oaks.

Join us at our meeting this Monday where we will be discussing:

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.

 

SDCC General Meeting – Monday May 18th at 7:30pm *** (One week early due to Memorial Day)***

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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 –

  • June 9, 2015 Republican Party primary election for the Virginia Senate in the 8th district (East of Lesner Bridge). First use of new optical scanner voting machines

NEXT SDCC Meeting – Monday June 29th at 7:30pm

More pedestrian & cyclists’ love at #LESNERBRIDGE on the way

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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!

Unfortunately the live oak must be …

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…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.

    Join Friends of Live Oaks

    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.

We’ve added a new area to our HOT page entitled Flood Mitigation

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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:

Flood Mitigation

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

Screen grab of Virginia Beach Flood Information Portal map

“Fire Department officials said Friday an underground power line shorted and caused the two-alarm blaze at The Dunes, Sunset Watch and Lesner Pointe East complexes along Page Avenue.”

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Coverage at Pilotonline.com:

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)

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

Fireman trying to fight the flames at the Page Court condo fire on April 23, 2015. (Photo: Bobbi Sawyers?,13News Now viewer

Coverage including video at WTKR.com.

Fire at Page Court last night. “Two buildings are believed to be a total loss and three others were damaged.”

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2 alarm fire located on Page Court just east of Lesner Bridge.
PageCourtScreenshot

Coverage at Pilotonline.com.

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)

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.

Screenshot from #LESNERBRIDGE construction camera of photo from April 24 2015 1am.

“Call if you can, text if you can’t,” that’s the message that Virginia Beach 9-1-1 Telecommunicators want the public to know.

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City Launches Its Newest Text–to-911 Service. News at VBGov.com.

Here are a few tips and suggestions that will help citizens use the tool more efficiently and effectively if needed:
Texting should only be used for emergency situations that require an immediate response from police, fire or emergency medical services. Non-emergency issues should still be communicated by calling the non-emergency number, 385-5000.

Calling 9-1-1 is quicker, more efficient and preferred, so texting to 9-1-1 should be reserved for those in the speech and hearing-impaired community and those who are in a situation where speaking is unsafe.
Provide the location and nature of the emergency in the first text. This will enable help to be dispatched as quickly as possible.

and more. . .

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More info at VBGov.com Text-to-911 page.

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – “On a final note . . . The Ocean Park Civic League is having a neighborhood yard sale this Saturday, April 11th,which means that there will be a lot of additional vehicles entering/exiting East Stratford Street at Shore Drive. Since our bridge contractor will also be working this weekend, please use caution on Shore Drive when nearing the East Stratford Street intersection and when turning onto East Stratford Street going towards the boat ramps.”

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April 10th 2015 update:

Friends, Neighbors and Those Who Want to Know Everything About the Lesner Bridge Project:

As you sit outside on a gorgeous Friday and feel the bay breeze blow through your hair – or what’s left of it in some cases – treat yourself to the latest information about the Public Works project – the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project. Things are humming right along, and we are receiving a number of questions and requests for information on a regular basis – which is GREAT. We appreciate your interest and your comments about this important undertaking.

The latest collection of facts and figures and other details are below – updated for your reading pleasure or should someone suddenly begin to quiz you – as explained by Chris Wojtowicz, our project manager and the pride and joy of “Wojo’s World.” Please give this a look when you have the time, and feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.

As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.

If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them.

Please feel free to pass this along to others. Thanks again for all of your patience throughout this project.

Enjoy your weekend, and all the happenings our city offers . . . AND STAY SAFE!

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach

dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

Ok, let’s answer the first question that many of you have had or are thinking: “What is all that steel framework construction taking place in the dredge material storage area south of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps?”

The answer is: The bridge contractor is preparing the storage area to receive the pre-cast bridge segments now being stored at Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth. This temporary steel framework will support an overhead crane that will be used to unload/load the bridge segments from the delivery trucks and move these segments within the storage area.

The bridge contractor has also been preparing the temporary steel falsework between Pier #1 and Abutment A (this is near 3556 On The Bay condominiums) to receive the support towers and gantry trusses. The two concrete pads recently poured at Abutment A is the foundation for one of the two towers that will be erected next week. These towers will be used to support the bridge segment assembly gantry.

Casting yard production of the bridge segments is also continuing. The expansion joint segment, which is the first segment that will be placed in the bridge (on Abutment A), was cast on Tuesday (the 7th). Three of the 14 typical segments for bridge span 2 have also been cast since the last project update.

(Expansion Joint segment with ~25% of steel reinforcing installed)

(Expansion Joint segment with ~25% of steel reinforcing installed)

The foundation work on the westbound bridge continues. The last of the ten drilled shafts at Pier #4 will be installed by today (Friday the 10th).

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will;

Ø Mobilize the utility barges and drilling equipment to Pier #5 (east side of the Federal Channel in the Lynnhaven Inlet);

Ø Mobilize cranes to Abutment A to support the assembly of the bridge segment assembly gantry;

Ø Continue work on the temporary overhead crane installation at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site;

Ø Install a cofferdam around the completed foundations at Pier #3;

Ø Install the new traffic signal poles and signal heads at the intersection of Shore Drive/Page Avenue/Vista Circle;

Ø Construct a haul road along the retaining wall adjacent to the Pointe Chesapeake property (former Duck Inn site) to support construction of Abutment B;

*** On a final note . . . The Ocean Park Civic League is having a neighborhood yard sale this Saturday, April 11th,which means that there will be a lot of additional vehicles entering/exiting East Stratford Street at Shore Drive. Since our bridge contractor will also be working this weekend, please use caution on Shore Drive when nearing the East Stratford Street intersection and when turning onto East Stratford Street going towards the boat ramps.

Because of all this activity, there will likely be more pedestrians and vehicles in this area this weekend than usual – so be alert and drive safely!

-Chris

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

Screen grab of zoomed construction cam shot taken on April 10th 2015 3pm.

Screen grab of zoomed construction cam shot taken on April 10th 2015 3pm.

“For example, to view information about a specific transportation project, such as the Lesner Bridge replacement, visit Budgetexpenditure.vbgov.com and click on the budget category “Quality Physical Environment” on the green graph to the right.”

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Thanks to everyone who helped make the #LESNERBRIDGE updates and transparency about the project possible!

From the News Release yesterday at VBGov.com:

“Open VB marks a major step forward in increasing public transparency in our budget and capital improvement projects,” said city Budget Director Catheryn Whitesell. “We implemented Open VB because citizens have a right to know how fund are being raised and allocated.”

Here’s the link to the #LESNERBRIDGE at the new Open VB website.

Here’s the Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV hot link.

Click screen shot to visit hot link at Open VB website.

Click screen shot to visit hot link at Open VB website.

The Search function in upper right hand corner of page seems to need exact name of the Project to find it.
It is a lot easier to scroll on the interactive map, and drill down/zoom in to find road projects you are interested in.

There is also a great way to find projects using the CATEGORY function.
As an example, it was easy to find the vital Sewer Pump Station Flow Monitoring & Date Storage page by drilling down in the CATEGORY function. Here’s that page.

Here’s an example of drilling down into the SERVICE function.
It was easy to find the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Phase I page.

Thanks again to everyone who works so diligently on making government and it’s processes transparent.

Thanks to everyone at the COVB who makes it easy for the public to find it.

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – “Since our last update, the dredging of Crab Creek and the area in front of the wharf at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) has been completed.”

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March 23rd 2015 update:

Aficionados of the Lesner Bridge Project:

This might be the first e-mail we’ve sent out in weeks that does not use the words “salt-and-sand solution” and “potholes,” and I consider that GOOD news. Chris rejoices below that “spring is in the air,” but I’m greedier . . . I want to see temps in the 90’s, AC’s running full blast and the sound of mosquitoes flying head first into my back yard zapper! That’s one of the best cures I know for these winter blahs.

The latest collection of facts and figures, updated for your reading pleasure, and other details are below, as explained by Chris Wojtowicz, our project manager and landlord 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 week, and enjoy the approaching spring weather, AND our city. 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

Aaaahhhh . . . . spring is in the air! And with spring comes warmer temperatures that have the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project buzzing with activity!

Since our last update, the dredging of Crab Creek and the area in front of the wharf at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) has been completed. Much of the dredged beach-quality sand has to be stockpiled near this recently completed wharf, but some of this material was used to replenish Ocean Park Beach in preparation for the summer season.

As you have all noticed – the landscape at Lesner Bridge is beginning to change dramatically. Over the past several weeks, crews have been erecting the tall steel falsework on the west side of the bridge in preparation for assembly of the 300-foot long gantry crane that will be used to set the pre-cast concrete bridge segments into place. Assembly of this gantry will begin within the next few days, and will continue for several weeks.

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Completion of the gantry assembly will be in time for arrival of the first bridge segments to the project site. The 14 segments for the first bridge span have been cast and are currently being stored in the Atlantic Metrocast yard in Portsmouth.

The expansion joint segment and the pier segments are the only pieces remaining to be built before we can begin the assembly of these units in the new westbound bridge.
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Crews have made quite a bit of progress on other portions of the bridge work since the last update:

Ø Pier column #2 for the new WB bridge has been completed;

Ø 5 of the 10 drilled shafts for Pier #4 have been installed;

Ø Temporary trestle has been partially installed around the area of Pier #5;

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Over the next two weeks, work will increase on the east side of the bridge as we continue to build the retaining wall, temporary wire wall, and install storm drain/other utilities at this bridge approach. The remaining drilled shafts for the foundations at pier #4 will be placed thru 3/30/2015.

Along with all of these other activities, the contractor will also begin to assemble the temporary cofferdam around the previously installed drilled shafts at Pier #3 in preparation for the construction of the foundation cap.

That’s about it for this update.

Drive safely!

-Chris

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

Screen grab of construction cam shot taken on Feb 18th 2015 8am. Note: It was not spring.

Screen grab of construction cam shot taken on Feb 18th 2015 8am. Note: It was not spring.