#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – “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….”

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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 Beach

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

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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

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)

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

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 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

” City staff are exploring the idea of building a new City Hall at Town Center, potentially through a public-private partnership, as they research what to do with their aging municipal headquarters. “

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SouthsideDaily.com:

An inter-office memorandum prepared Friday by Public Works Director Phil Davenport at City Manager Dave Hansen’s request produced a rough estimate of $48.6 million to design and construct a 140,000-square-foot City Hall at Town Center. Alternatively, the city could have a private firm design, construct and own the building, and lease it back to the city at a cost of about $3.99 million annually, according to the memo.

” Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant, one of the last surviving old-school Virginia Beach fish houses, will close on Valentine’s Day, according to the owners. “

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Article at Pilotonline.com:

Not much has changed in the 70 years since it opened. Cooks use the same saute pans and pots seasoned with years of use. In the dining room, the floor is covered by the same cream-and-red checkered tiles. Rows of chrome-and-red Formica tables fill the pinewood-paneled dining room.

   
 

Baylines Newsletter of the City Council-appointed Bayfront Advisory Commission February edition

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View Baylines Newsletter (4pg PDF):

Marina Shores development proposed
Developers of a proposed 261-unit , four-story apartment complex on the site of the Marina Shores marina along Long Creek made a presentation to the Bayfront Advisory Commission at its last meeting. . . .

Bayfront projects starting soon
Two new Public Works projects are coming to the Bayfront area, beginning this spring. The Greenwell Road Sidewalk Project . . .Shore Drive Bike Facility . . .

Election deadline looms
The deadline to register, change address or name for the March 1 Presidential Primary elections in Virginia Beach is the close of business, Monday, Feb. 8 . . .

Upcoming events
 The Parks and Recreation Department has identified 19 possible sites for installing bicycle racks at beach access entrances. . . .

The Joint Expeditionary Base – Fort Story will hold a public festival on the base to mark its 100th Anniversary Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m, to 4 p.m. . . .

Be sure to check out all the scoop in Baylines.

From Tour de Virginia Beach July 2009 advocating for more bike lanes.

From Tour de Virginia Beach July 2009 advocating for more bike lanes.

“The owner is applying for zoning change and a conditional-use permit for multifamily dwellings, according to a city planner.The Planning Commission will hear the application in March, and the City Council would take the final vote on the project.”

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At Pilotonline.com: 
  

“That message a couple of years ago marked the humble beginning of what’s shaping up as one of the boldest public works proposals in recent Virginia history.”

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Read more at Pilotonline.com:

What Henifin has in mind is turning the treated wastewater into something useful. He wants to make it so clean that you and I could safely drink it, and then he wants to inject it more than a thousand feet underground into an aquifer that’s being rapidly depleted.

In doing so, he hopes to address a bunch of problems vexing coastal Virginia.

#LESNERBRIDGE construction cameras link fixed. Cameras with an s? Yupper – now there’s 2!

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Screen shot of new camera

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.]

Congratulations to Mr Dave Hansen on being appointed to COVB City Manager

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News at Pilotonline.com:

The Virginia Beach City Council voted during a special formal city council session this afternoon to approve Hansen to lead the city.

Mr Dave Hansen COVB City Manager

Mr Dave Hansen COVB City Manager

About Mr Hansen at VBGov.com:

. . . Dave’s career in financial, technology, infrastructure, and capital improvement management has spanned over three decades. He joined the Virginia Beach government team in April 2006 following his assignment as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Resource Management for the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command headquartered at Fort Monroe. An officer in the U.S. Army, he also held positions as commanding officer and district engineer of the Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk district; director of public works for Fort Eustis and Fort Story; senior combat engineer trainer at the Army’s National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.; engineer battalion commander in the 1st Cavalry Division; and executive officer to the Director of the Army budget at the Pentagon. . . .

SB 163 Driving in flooded areas; localities may by ordinance prohibit, exception.

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SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Local regulation of driving in flooded areas; penalty. Allows localities to by ordinance prohibit driving in a flooded street in a way that damages property and creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for a violation of such ordinance. This prohibition does not apply to law-enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, or operators of Department of Transportation vehicles in the performance of their official duties.

Message from COVB about Jonas

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From an email, posted unedited:

Subject: Winter Storm JONAS Update #3

My travels around the City this morning at high tide indicated the tidal flooding in the Lynnhaven watershed has been slightly higher than we estimated. Nothing I would consider greater than moderate/expected for this type weather.
Lynnhaven Colony , Bay Island and Cape Story having nuisance ponding across their usual low lying roads.

PW is reacting to Jim Woods call for assistance on issue at Cape Story Ditch and evaluating decision to close the tide gates before the next high tide. Atlantic Ocean is truly angry – haven’t seen the waves that big since Irene.

Bay Beaches holding up. Grommet Island Park berm did its job. Pics attached. Central Beach District at Baltic and 21st is dry. Rode the southern roads and ditches full but little to no encroachment onto roads.

About 200 power outages in the City – down from 800 at daybreak. Mostly due to downed tree limbs arcing out transformers. This evening after 7pm the temps will slowly fall.

Winter storm JONAS is wrapping around from the northwest and will continue to pushing frozen rain, sleet and some snow our way. Expect this up to Sunday day break. Precipitation ends Sunday morn and a cold day barely getting above freezing.

PW will have teams treating our bridges. Our City has fared well. Please pass this on to your constituents. Be safe and stay dry and warm. VR Dave    
Dave Hansen
Deputy City Manager
City of Virginia Beach
(757)385-4242

Leave Your Mark: New App Helps Residents Plan City’s Future

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At VBGov.com:

We rewrote the city’s Comprehensive Plan to reflect your concerns about traffic, the environment and more.
Now we’re asking: Did we get it right? Does the revised Comprehensive Plan address the things you love and the things you want changed?
We’ve made it easy to respond. In fact, there’s an app for that — and community meetings.

Engage!

Thursday, Jan. 28 — Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St.​
To read the complete Comprehensive Plan, visit http://www.VBgov.com/2016compplan.

speakupVB

“The central premise of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) is that increased competition provides benefits such as lower overall costs and increased quality. The City’s interest in stipends is specifically keyed to two-phase procurement wherein the stipend is an incentive to keep a bidder/offeror “in the game” after the initial competitive qualification process.”

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View the City of Virginia Beach Legislative Package at VBGov.com.

One example request of Virginia Legislature:

19. USE OF OYSTER LEASES FOR NAVIGATION PROJECTS
SPONSORED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, JAMES L. WOOD & JOHN E. UHRIN
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Background Information:
The City has numerous rivers and tributaries that require maintenance dredging. This includes both the main channels of the Eastern and Western branches of the Lynnhaven River and multiple navigation channels serving the multitude of neighborhoods of the fully developed watershed. Not only do these waterways provide access for homeowners to utilize their waterfront property, but these navigation channels support recreational boating for residents and visitors to the City in addition to serving water-dependent local businesses and watermen. Virtually all of the coves of the Lynnhaven were developed with navigation channels.

With the support of General Assembly legislation, Special Service Districts (SSDs) are being created to formulate neighborhood navigation dredging projects to reclaim those navigation channels that have filled with silt, mud and sediment foreign to the Lynnhaven’s past. Restoring navigable channels for these waterfront neighborhoods is a critical goal for the City, and the Navigation SSD program provides a venue to accomplish this. The silt, mud and sediment that have inundated this body of water contribute to degradation of the water quality of the Lynnhaven, which is condemned or restricted to oyster production in many areas. As a result of contamination, most oyster leases are unproductive or have costly restrictions and compliance measures before a harvest can be brought to market.

Restoring navigation channels is a part of the City’s effort to cleaning up the Lynnhaven River, but the widely popular SSD neighborhood navigation dredging program has been placed at risk due to 2014 legislation barring localities from exercising eminent domain to acquire portions of oyster leases of state-owned bottomlands, even if the purpose is navigational dredging. Due to guarantees made by the Commonwealth to the holders of oyster leases, consent from the oyster lease holder is required for any dredging permit issued by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. The legal result of this requirement is that a single oyster lease holder with a nonproductive, vacant oyster bed in a condemned creek retains veto power over a navigation dredging project affecting hundreds of waterfront property owners and recreational boaters. The oyster leases cost $1.50 per acre/per year for a 10-year lease, and although there is a requirement that leases be worked for oyster production, there are generous exceptions for rivers like the Lynnhaven, where such production would not likely yield oysters. The proposed legislation is to promote a balance that allows the municipality and its property owners to maintain the navigation channels while providing fair treatment to active producing oyster lease holders.

Request:

The General Assembly is requested to amend the code of Virginia §28.2-618
§ 28.2-618. Commonwealth guarantees rights of renter subject to right of fishing.
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The Commonwealth shall guarantee to any person who has complied with ground assignment requirements the absolute right to continue to use and occupy the ground for the term of the lease, subject to:
1. Section 28.2-613;
2. Riparian rights;
3. The right of fishing in waters above the bottoms, provided (i) that no person exercising the right of fishing shall use any device which is fixed to the bottom, or which, in any way, interferes with the renter’s rights or damages the bottoms, or the oysters planted thereon, and (ii) that crab pots and gill nets which are not staked to the bottom shall not be considered devices which are fixed to the bottom unless the crab pots and gill nets are used over planted oyster beds in waters of less than four feet at mean low water on the seaside of Northampton and Accomack Counties;
4. Established fishing stands, but only if the fishing stand license fee is timely received from the existing licensee of the fishing stand and no new applicant shall have priority over the oyster lease. However, a fishing stand location assigned prior to the lease of the oyster ground is a vested interest, a chattel real, and an inheritable right which may be transferred or assigned whenever the current licensee complies with all existing laws; and
5. In navigable waters that are located in the Lynnhaven River and its creeks and tributaries, the right of navigation, including dredging projects to improve, deepen or restore existing navigation channels in areas approved by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, so long as the person dredging designs the project to minimize affecting active, producing beds and, to the extent any such beds cannot be avoided, the dredger pays the cost of relocating the oyster material that would be disturbed or pays the holder for any losses of oysters in production in an amount to be determined by the Commission.
This change would allow the City to compensate for loss of use while allowing much needed projects to go forward.

“Obama’s plan, executive order No. 13690, mandates that all federally funded projects located in a floodplain be built higher and stronger than previously required. It is the first update to the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard since the policy was created 38 years ago. It applies to both new construction and rebuilding following a disaster.”

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News from WetlandsWatch.org:

The new policy is contained in an executive order issued by President Obama in January that says federal actions (think projects funded directly or in part by the federal government = highways, airports, military bases) have to take future flood risks into account.

The Executive order from January 2015:
FACT SHEET: Taking Action to Protect Communities and Reduce the Cost of Future Flood Disasters

More than 50 percent of Americans live in coastal counties, where key infrastructure and evacuation routes are increasingly vulnerable to impacts like higher sea levels, storm surges, and flooding.

News about Executive Order green lighted by Congress in recent omnibus bill:

Under Obama’s executive order, buildings must now be elevated 2 or 3 feet above the 100-year flood level (the higher standard is for “critical” infrastructure, like hospitals), or at the 500-year flood level. A third option is for federal agencies to analyze future climate change scenarios and build according to those projections, such as for sea level rise or expected heavier rain events.

Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) at FEMA.gov:

FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have produced fact sheets in response to several frequently asked questions regarding the intended scope of the President’s Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) and the anticipated impacts to many of the programs of these agencies.

Why Shore Drive was closed yesterday near Gate 5

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Near intersection with Shore Drive and Independence Boulevard. (WAVY/Liz Palka)

Near intersection with Shore Drive and Independence Boulevard. (WAVY/Liz Palka)

WAVY.com coverage including video:

Fort Story PAO Scott Mohr tells WAVY.com someone dropped off a suspicious package at Gate 5, near Independence Boulevard. The incident was treated as a bomb threat and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Naval Station Norfolk was called to check on the contents of the package.

WTKR.com coverage including video:

One person has been detained for questioning, according to the FBI. The base is now operating normally.

Westbound Shore Drive and Independence Road were closed, but reopened at about 8 pm.

13NewsNow.com coverage including video:

13News Now Reporter Arrianee LeBeau spoke with a man who saw the suspect drop the package. Listen to her interview . . .

SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday Jan. 25th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 1.25.16 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday January 25, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Shore Drive Phase III (CIP 2.117) – Mr. Jason Wilson, City Project Manager, will give provide an update and answer questions on this project that will take place along Shore Drive between the Lesner Bridge and North Great Neck Road. The project is currently scheduled to begin construction May 2018 and is designed to improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow and safety in the roadway and intersections; improve storm drainage; include a multi-use trail, 5-ft sidewalk and on-street bike lanes; and enhance the corridor with aesthetic elements such as landscaping and lighting.

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 – City traffic Engineers and Hampton Roads Transit have updated the information presented to SDCC in October. Service will not enter Fort Story and the evening route will stay on Shore Drive and not return using Great Neck. Trial service is still planned to start Memorial Day 2016.

City Comprehensive Plan Update – Public comment on the plan can be made by attending a Thursday Jan. 28th meeting @ 6:30pm in the Convention Center or by using the new “SpeakUp! VB” app, which can be found on Google Play and Apple Stores. 

Marina Shores Residential Development Plan – The property owner has plans to change the current commercial businesses to multi-family residential dwellings. A stop light at the intersection of N. Great Neck Rd. and Lynnhaven Drive is also being researched. The property owner presented to the Bayfront Advisory Committee Thursday Jan. 21st.

New Business –

Bayfront Advisory Commission News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Admission Tax Exemption for 501c4 Civic Organizations – City Council approved an ordinance change to exempt IRS designated 501c4 Civic Organizations from the City’s 10% Admission Tax.

State Legislature Proposed Oyster Bills – Del. Stolle’s HB285 re: Dredging navigable waters and impact/compensation to productive oyster beds. Sen. DeStepth’s SB298 re: 1000 ft buffer from residential shore line for oyster farm leases.  Increase of lease cost in this buffer from $1.5/acre to $5000/acre.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others? 

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday February 29, 2016

“Roomier roads for pedestrians and bicyclists are in the works along the busy Shore Drive Corridor. An on-road bike lane and designated pathway will improve safety, said Oneil Clarke, Department of Public Works manager.”

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Pilotonline.com:

Photo Credit: Irene Bowers for The Virginian-Pilot

Photo Credit: Irene Bowers for The Virginian-Pilot

A second Public Works project is fast approaching a Monday deadline to request a public meeting.

The Greenwell Road Sidewalk Project provides a pedestrian thoroughfare along the south end of the road, extending from Shore Drive to Bayside Recreation Center.

The city plans to install a 5 foot wide concrete sidewalk from Shore Drive to Delco Road, and an 8 foot wide asphalt pathway from Delco to First Court Road, along the west side of the street.

YAY for bike facilities on Shore Drive !

Read story here at Pilotonline.com.

Learn more about the project for bike lanes on Shore Drive at SDCC.info here.

Shots fired at Marina Shores apartments Wednesday evening

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At Pilotonline.com:

A heavy police presence is on scene.

Reporter did not respond to Twitter.
No additional news is available.

“The action was spearheaded by the Bayfront Advisory Commission on behalf of several civic leagues, including Cape Story by the Sea, and had the support of Commissioner of the Revenue Phillip Kellam and Vice Mayor Louis Jones.”

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Thank you !

View BAC Baylines News here.

“Gail Higgs is scheduled to present the residential development plans for her Marina Shores property.”

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Curious what is proposed for Marina Shores new development ?

Attend the Bayfront Advisory Committee meeting on January 21 at Virginia Beach Resort & Conference Center at 2800 Shore Drive from 330p – 530p to see presentation.

Learn more at Marina Shores at their website.

Photo Credit: Marina Shores Marina website

Photo Credit: Marina Shores Marina website

View most recent Bayfront Advisory Committee newsletter here.