As hard as that is to believe.
Photo Credit: David Haycox from Facebook
It’s not quite as high as in this photo but if you are not in a lifted 4×4 it looks like you’ll destroy your vehicle heading eastbound.
You can get into Cape Henry Shores, as you know if you live there.
Info about Matthew Road Closures and more at VBGov.com.
Westbound lane of Shore Drive at First Landing Park is closed.
Heading eastbound – it sure doesn’t seem like you should unless you are in a tall, large vehicle.
Check out the new edition of Baylines Newsletter here!
There was an additional “Extra” which is the news about #LESNERBRIDGE here.
October 3rd 2016:
Waterlogged Residents and Fans of All Things Structural:
Now that the beastly hot days of summer have passed – I miss them already – we can look forward to crisp autumn days, football, and the pain and suffering that comes with raking fallen leaves that never ends . . . .
As you drive past the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, you probably marvel at the changes and progress that has been made with this grand structure. You may ask yourself: “Can we expect more?”
You’re daggone right, you can . . . and thanks for asking.
According to the sage of bridges . . . the Kingfish of Structures – project manager Chris Wojtowicz – not only have they made quite a bit of progress, but “the moving of the westbound Shore Drive traffic to the new westbound bridge will take place sometime during the week of October 24th.”
But I shouldn’t spoil everything . . . . Better you hear it from someone who actually knows what he’s talking about – the Kingfish himself.
Below is our latest collection of facts and figures and snappy photos – updated for your reading pleasure – that will update you on the LB progress. Don’t skip a word of it and ponder it all.
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
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. So . . . enjoy this weather, look out for each other, and put the phone down while you’re driving.
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353**************************************
To All:
On September 1st, the post-tensioning and grouting of the tendons for Span 10 of the new westbound bridge was completed, thus completing the last remaining span of the bridge. Since completing this span, crews have been busy both inside and outside the bridge completing other elements of the bridge’s superstructure in preparation for moving the westbound traffic off of Shore Drive from the old bridge to the new bridge.
Since the completion of the last bridge span, utility crews have been working inside the superstructure to complete construction of the new 16-inch water main, the bridge lighting conduit system, and all of the conduit systems required for the private utility companies to relocate their existing utilities from the old bridges to the new bridge.
Completed Bridge Conduit and Other Utilities Inside the New Westbound Lesner Bridge
Up on top of the bridge, crews are slowly back launching the gantry to the west and back to Span 1 where the temporary falsework has been constructed for the long term storage of this equipment. The gantry is currently located on Span 3 and will likely be launched to Span 2 by Wednesday October 5th. It is likely that crews will temporarily lock down the gantry in this location until Hurricane Matthew safely passes the Hampton Roads area. The back launch of the gantry will resume on or after October 11th.
Other critical work required to ready the bridge for the upcoming traffic switch is taking place concurrently with the gantry move and utility work. The expansion joints at each end of the bridge are being readied for installation. The first expansion joint will be installed at Abutment A – located on the west side of the bridge. Installation work for both expansion joints will be completed by the week of October 17th.
Area between abutment and bridge deck being prepared for expansion joint installation
Workers are also preparing the temporary pedestrian path along the north side of the new bridge. Concrete parapet wall and the new decorative handrail are currently being installed along the northern edge of the bridge and approaches between East Stratford Street and Page Avenue. Temporary barrier service and safety screening (galvanized chain link fence) is also being installed across the new bridge and all the way down each bridge approach to the intersections.
The area between (~4 feet) the parapet/handrailing and this temporary barrier service/safety screen will serve as the temporary pedestrian access and will be the only pedestrian access across the Lynnhaven Inlet once both old bridges are demolished during the next phase (4).
Coating of the Bridge Superstructure
Construction access ports and miscellaneous deck penetrations are being permanently sealed ahead of the scheduled pavement planing and grooving. Planing and grooving of the new bridge deck is currently scheduled for the week of October 10th and is expected to be completed by October 16th.
Since the last project update (8/18/2016), the following work has been completed:
Bridge conduit systems have been completed though the new westbound bridge;
The new 16-inch water main has been completed up to Span 10;
Back-launched the gantry from span 10 to Span 3;
Finished handrail installation along the bridge up to Span 3;
Installed temporary barrier service (for pedestrian access) along the north side of the new bridge between East Stratford Street and Span 7 of the bridge;
Installation of pullboxes and controller cabinet foundation for the new traffic signal at the Shore Drive/Page Avenue intersection;
Installation of the new traffic signal pole foundation on the west side of Page Avenue;
Installation of street light pilasters up to bridge Span 7AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build pre-cast concrete segments for the superstructure of the new Eastbound Lesner Bridge. A total of 44 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
Complete the falsework located on the northwest side of the bridge;
Side-launch the gantry off of the new westbound bridge and onto the falsework for long term storage (~ 6 months);
Complete installation of both bridge expansion joints;
Grind and groove bridge deck between Spans 1 and 10;
Coat/paint the bridge barrier walls and parapets;
Install parapets and barrier wall along bridge Spans 4 through 10;
Complete handrail installation along the bridge;
Complete installation of 16-inch watermain inside the bridge;
Complete utility installation and rough grading for the upcoming lane shifts near the intersections of Shore Drive/East Stratford Street and Shore Drive/Page Avenue.At this time . . . . we expect that the moving of the westbound Shore Drive traffic to the new westbound bridge will take place sometime during the week of October 24th.
Within the next week we will place variable message boards along Shore Drive, both eastbound and westbound, to alert drivers of this upcoming traffic shift. ONLY THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE MOVED AT THIS TIME. The eastbound traffic will continue to use the old bridge just as they do today.
After we have graded, paved and marked the transitions in the old median and westbound lanes, we will then move the eastbound traffic to the new bridge. This second traffic shift of the eastbound Shore Drive traffic will likely take place in early December.
Stay tuned!
– 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 westbound view taken 7am October 3rd 2016
Listen to Mike Vernon, Owner Flood Insurance Hampton Roads, discuss case scenarios and flood mitigation practices to help protect your home and reduce your flood insurance premiums. Also guest speaker Willie Sparks, with FloARK Squared Planters, discusses FloARK Squared² modular and adaptable cistern system that could collect rain and flood water focused on architectural responses to sea level rise. Get the knowledge and information you need to protect your most valuable asset, your HOME!
Facing the Surge zooms in on the tangible costs of sea-level rise for the people of Norfolk. But Facing the Surge is not a film about loss and inaction. It tells the stories of citizens from across the United States who are stepping forward to raise awareness and push our political leaders to act on climate change.
You don’t want to miss this opportunity to engage with community members and students about an issue that cannot be resolved without all hands on deck! The event is absolutely free and we will have light refreshments available as well. Free parking is available in parking garage D — Constant Center North Garage at 1060 W 45th Street.
Be a part of the discussion! Join us on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:00 PM.
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday September 26 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentation – Delegate Chris Stolle, 83rd District
Delegate Chris Stolle will be our special guest presenter and will talk to us about the past 2016 General Assembly session. Del. Stolle will also tell us about some of the possible items coming up in the 2017 GA session. He will also provide a question and answer session at the end of his presentation.
The following is an excellent list of Pubic Works Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for the Bayfront area. The list was created by the City’s Public Works Department and presented to the Bayfront Advisory Commission at their 8-18-16 general meeting.
Click here or on the image below to see more details and status of the projects.
Click here for a printable version of the agenda 9-26-16-sdcc-agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday September 26 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentation – Delegate Chris Stolle, 83rd District
Delegate Chris Stolle will be our special guest presenter and will talk to us about the past 2016 General Assembly session. Del. Stolle will also tell us about some of the possible items coming up in the 2017 GA session. He will also provide a question and answer session at the end of his presentation.
Officer’s Reports
Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Marina Shores Proposed Development – According to the City Planners, the developer is in discussions with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) regarding possible environmental impacts that may result from the required emergency road on the east side of the development. Any ACOE approval will have to be run through the City and we will be informed if the proposal moves forward.
Ocean Bay Homes Proposed Development – The property at Shore Drive and Roanoke Ave. in Ocean Park has been requested to be rezoned to allow 8 townhomes be built where HM Boats is currently located. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the deferred proposal at their Oct. 12th hearing.
Beach Event Houses – Update from the Beaches & Waterways Commission overseeing this evaluation.
Online Home Sharing Economy Ad Hoc Committee – Wed. Sept 28th meeting to be held at 6pm at City Council chamber at City Hall, 2401 Courthouse Drive. The committee is expected to finalize its policy recommendations at the meeting. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to hear a presentation from the committee on Oct. 4, and to hear public comments and vote on the recommendations Oct. 18.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Citizen Engagement Opportunities –
Next SDCC Meeting – Monday October 24, 2016
***Note this date is a week early due to the conflict with Halloween***
From personal experience, this is a wonderful service. It’s well run, quick and FREE. Please use it if you have items that would be better recycled than poisoning our earth in a landfill. Click here for more details
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, in partnership with Goodwill Industries, the City of Virginia Beach Public Works and TFC Recycling, will offer its semi-annual E-cycling event Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Virginia Aquarium East Parking Lot.
Acceptable personal electronic recyclable items include:
Acceptable Household Hazardous Waste items include:
The City Council has appointed an ad hoc committee to make recommendations by the end of September. The council also adopted an ordinance requiring owners who rent their homes to register with the Commissioner of the Revenue. Such rentals are required to pay city and state taxes, the same as hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts.
Share your input at the September 14th Meeting at 6pm at City Council Chambers.
There is a lot of information at VBGov.com about home sharing and the newly created Online Home Sharing Economy Ad Hoc Committee including videos of City Council & staff discussions.
A short PDF from City Council discussion on August 9th 2016:
Request: The City of Virginia Beach requests the General Assembly to adopt legislation during the 2017 Session of General Assembly that requires these online rental platforms operate with the same requirements as the Traditional Lodging Industry does such as:
Collection of the taxes due and remittance to the state and local governments,
Regulation by localities for issues such as health, safety, and welfare including adequacy of parking,
Some control on where these properties are located.
Check the great story at Pilotonline.com:
Virginia Beach teen who rescued two at Chic’s Beach to be recognized
What housing issues do you believe Virginia Beach residents face? Deadline: 5:00 PM on September 16, 2016
The Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech and czb, LLC, a neighborhood planning firm, are currently conducting a housing study for the City of Virginia Beach. The study will provide information on the city’s household demographics, housing stock, homeownership and rental rates, neighborhood characteristics and more. It will also reveal trends, housing needs and opportunities for achieving the city’s goals for affordability and the preservation and enhancement of existing housing. Results from the study will be used to guide city policy and funding for housing and neighborhood preservation programs.
On Aug. 10, the city held public meetings to preview preliminary findings from the housing study and seek input on residents’ challenges and concerns related to housing. This forum is available for residents who were unable to attend the meetings and participate in the focus groups.
https://www.peakdemocracy.com/portals/124/Forum_389/Issue_3945
Click here for the meeting agenda – 8.29.16 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday August 29 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Two Special Presentations – Road Safety in the Shore Drive Area & Girl Scout Community Pride Project
Captain M. P. Ronan Commanding Officer, Special Operations and Lieutenant Jeffery E. Wilkerson, MSCJ Special Operations will discuss the duties of the VB Special Operations Division and will update us on the specific topics below followed by a Q&A.
Michaella Lynch – Senior Girl Scout Troop 475 will tell us about her Community Pride project in Baylake Pines. She built a Little Lending Library and painted murals on beach access walls.
Cover letter for proposed Event House Ordinance for COVB.
Final Draft of Event House Ordinance.
BEACHES & WATERWAYS COMMISSION RECOMMENDED DRAFT
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 4 OF THE CITY CODE BY ADDING NEW SECTIONS 4-85 THROUGH 4-90, DEFINING EVENT FACILITIES AND SETTING FORTH REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE SAME
Be sure to check out the cover letter and proposed ordinance.
The section sets forth the City Council’s findings regarding the use of homes as rented sites for certain types of gathering that constitute commercial uses.
August 19th 2016 update:
Citizens, Interested Parties, and Sharp-Eyed Observers:
Gazing through the hot haze that has been hanging over our city recently, you probably have already noticed that crews have made a quite a bit of progress on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project. In fact, according to Chris Wojtowicz, engineer, project manager, and maharishi of bridges, crews are now working on the LAST SPAN of the westbound bridge. That means big things for the upcoming fall.
You ask, “Such as . . . ?” Good question . . . .
Below is our latest collection of facts and figures and snappy photos – updated for your reading pleasure – that will update you on the LB progress. It’s great reading, as well as enlightening. Don’t skip a word of it . . . .
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 this scorching summer weather, keep the grill fired up, avoid 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
***********************************************To All:
It’s been a little of two years since we started the construction of the new Lesner Bridge and we are about to complete a major milestone in the project – the completion of the new westbound Lesner Bridge.
As I am writing this update, McLean Contracting is loading the gantry crane with the last 14 segments for the new westbound bridge. Erection of these segments will begin on 8/19/2016 and should be completed by 8/31/2016. A lot still has to happen before we are ready to move the westbound traffic on Shore Drive from the old bridge to the new bridge, but we are still anticipating that this traffic switch will occur sometime in early October 2016.
Between now and then, crews will be finishing the parapet wall, handrail, pavement planing and grooving of the bridge deck, installation of temporary barrier service across the new bridge for the pedestrian and bicycle path, temporary pavement markings, and paving of the traffic transition areas located at Page Avenue and at East Stratford Street.
The next 45 days will be very busy preparing the new bridge for the traffic switch, so we will provide frequent project updates on the progress of this work as we near a firm date for the movement of traffic to the new bridge.
One obvious question keeps coming up now that we have reached the other side of the Lynnhaven Inlet with our gantry crane: “Where the heck are we going to store this large piece of equipment until it is ready to be used for the new eastbound bridge?”
The answer? Once we finish erecting Span 10 of the bridge, the gantry will be “walked” back to the west until it reaches Span 1 of the bridge. From there it will be moved horizontally to the north side of the bridge using rollers and temporary steel falsework to slide the entire gantry to falsework now being installed on the beach near 3556 On the Bay Condominiums. It will remain in this location for approximately six months until it is needed for the eastbound bridge, and then it will be moved across the new westbound Lesner Bridge using the same roller and rail system to position the gantry ready to erect the new eastbound Lesner Bridge.
Temporary Steel Falsework being installed on the north side of the new westbound Lesner Bridge and west of Lynnhaven Inlet
View from the new westbound Lesner Bridge looking east-southeast ta the last remaining span (10) of the bridge
Since the last project update (6/15/2016), the following work has been completed:
· The main span (Span 5) of the westbound bridge was completed;
· Spans 7, 8, and 9 have been completed;
· The remaining expansion segment of the westbound bridge was set in Span 10;
· All segment casting for the westbound bridge was completed;
· Bridge conduit systems have been completed up to Span 6;
· The new 16-inch water main has been completed up to Span 6;
· Completed installation of the temporary trench drains along the north side of each bridge approach;
· Finished handrail installation along the retaining wall in front of 3556 On the Bay Condominiums.
Completed Handrail on top of parapet wall of new westbound Lesner Bridge
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. All segments have been cast and are now complete for the westbound bridge. A total of 29 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
· Load the gantry with all of the Span 10 segments;
· Complete erection of Span 10 of the westbound Lesner Bridge;
· Grind and groove bridge deck between Spans 4 and 6;
· Begin painting bridge superstructure and substructure starting at Span 1;
· Install parapets and barrier wall along bridge Spans 4, 5, & 6;
· Install bridge conduit system through bridge Span 9;
· Install 16-inch water main through bridge Span 9;
· Complete water meter relocation and installation of storm water structures on East Stratford Street in front of 3556 On the Bay Condominiums.
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 Construction Cam westbound view taken 8am August 20th 2016
13News Now reporter Jemie Lee spoke with a woman who says she is the fiancée of the deceased man. She is nine months pregnant with his son, and the couple also have a 22-month-old toddler.
She tells us the other person found dead is her fiancée’s older sister.
Photo credit: 13NewsNow.com
There is very limited coverage.
Police say they are not searching for anyone.
This is rescheduled from our July meeting to August 29th. We meet at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue squad from 730p-900p.
Email from Captain Ronan:
Good afternoon Mr. Williams,
First, thanks again for the invitation for Lieutenant Wilkerson and I to present to the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) on Monday, August 29, 2016, which we will accept. Since receiving the first invitation on July 20, 2016 from Mr. Solomon to attend on a SDCC meeting, we are prepared to discuss the following items requested:
o Accidents and deaths at Shore Drive and Kendall
o Results/trends/solutions of speed enforcement checks on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park
o Pedestrian death on Shore Drive near Kroger’s intersection
o Traffic signal study for Lynnhaven Drive and North Great Neck Road. Possible impact from proposed development of Marina Shores.
o Illegal parking on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park.In regard to the last bulleted item, I have periodically been monitoring the Shore Drive corridor in regard to the noted parking issues noted of Illegal parking on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park. As a result, I have been in contact with our City’s Traffic Engineer, Mr. Robert K. Gey, to determine what, if anything can be improved upon. Additionally, I have contacted the Second Police Precinct and requested additional patrols to address any illegal or inappropriate parking along Shore Drive. Traffic Engineering received a call and is addressing, a recent complaint from a citizen in regard to parking on Shore Drive at Sandalwood Road, which is causing a visibility obstruction
(attached picture).In terms of the impacts of the few development sites mentioned, the Police Department will continue to support the community, patrol & respond to calls for service, and enforce laws in the Shore Drive community as we do with the rest of the City. As the Shore Drive section continues to grow and develop, since it’s a desirable area, the traffic will continue to grow as well. The Police Department is not in a position to stop or hinder future development anywhere in the City. On the contrary, our efforts are to continue making the City of Virginia Beach the Safest City in the United States, where citizens wish to live, work, and raise a family, as well as, where visitors want to visit.
City Traffic Engineer, Robert Gey advises there are two projects programmed for Shore Drive, which the SDCC is aware of; Shore Drive Phase III(construction 2018-2021) and Shore Drive Phase IV(construction 2026-2028). Phase IV is not currently funded. There is no increase in the number of lanes or roadway capacity with either of these projects as is the desire of the Shore Drive community.
Feel free to contact Lieutenant J. E. Wilkerson or me should you have any additional questions or concerns. Otherwise, we’ll see you and members of the SDCC on Monday, August 29, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall on Shore Drive.
Best regards,
Mike
Captain M. P. Ronan
Commanding Officer, Special Operations
Virginia Beach Police Department
2667 Leroy Drive
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456
Spec Ops (757) 385-4606
Direct (757) 385-8957
Fax (757) 385-4406
mronan@vbgov.com
Start here at VBGov.com to complete the: Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey.
Both the survey and the August draft will be “live” through August 17, 2016, at which time we will compile the survey results and comments received for the committee to review and act upon.
The survey will be available through August 17, 2016. Additional opportunities to review the draft plan and provide written feedback, or to attend a public meeting are in the planning process. Stay tuned for additional information.
Emphasis ours.
The Draft Plan includes language like:
Mitigation actions should go beyond recommending structural solutions to reduce existing vulnerability, such as elevation of structures, retrofitting, and acquisition projects. Local policies that guide community growth and development, incentives tied to natural resource protection, and public awareness and outreach activities should be considered to reduce the region’s future vulnerability to identified hazards.
This afternoon before the City Council Meeting tonight there is also a briefing on the Community Rating System:
MAYOR WILLIAM D. SESSOMS, JR. PRESIDING
I. CITY MANAGER’S BRIEFINGS – Conference Room – 4:00 PM
. . .
B. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM and
REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Whitney McNamara – Planning
. . .
View 1 page PDF of City Council Agenda here.
More Posts at SDCC.info about Community Rating System or CRS here.
More info at SDCC.info about Flood Mitigation at our Hot Page.
Please add them in Discuss below.
Questions about towing, your rights, safety and studies about Shore Drive & neighborhood streets?
Tonight is the night!
Be early.
Agenda is here and more info is here.
Bring a friend!
It’s indoors in a/c.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 