“Old beach chairs, a section of a wood deck and, of course, beer bottles were among the detritus suspended in a 15-foot wall of sand left behind by the weekend nor’easter.”
The pillars on a boardwalk at the Cape Henry beach in Virginia Beach are exposed Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, after recent storms that washed away about 15 feet of dune. (Thé N. Pham | The Virginian-Pilot)
A city beach replenishment last shored up the dune in 2010, said Mike Mundy, a city water resources engineer. The area is scheduled to get more sand in 2016.
A wall of sand on the Jefferson-Raleigh Beach Path in Ocean Park. Photo swiped from Linda from OP Facebook Group page.
VOTE
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – HRSD, lane closures & bulkhead at LBR&BF
October 30th 2014 UPDATE:
Happy Halloween! Our news update for the bridge project is in NO WAY as frightful as the candy-craving minions who will be roaming the streets of Virginia Beach this evening!
The installation of the conduits beneath Shore Drive and East Stratford Street has been completed. For these next two weeks there are no scheduled daytime lane closures within the Lesner Bridge project limits.
Beginning on Monday, November 3rd, however, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) will begin their work on the existing sanitary sewer forcemain in WB Shore Drive. HRSD will mobilize two construction crews; one located at Shore Drive/Rockbridge Road and one at Shore Drive/Kleen Street. They will begin work on the active forcemain in order to remove from service the portion of this forcemain that crosses the existing westbound Lesner Bridge.
The first week of HRSD’s work will involve setting up their traffic control. None of this work will require long term lane closures on Shore Drive. There will likely be daytime lane closures the week of November 3rd as they setup the temporary barrier service on westbound Shore Drive at Kleen Street and build the temporary lane shift at Rockbridge Road.
The actual work to excavate, cut and cap the forcemain will take place the week of November 10th through Saturday November 15th. Restoration work of the roadway and work areas will take place the week of November 17th. All work, including equipment demobilization and removal of the temporary traffic control, should be completed by November 24th.
As for the latest bridge construction progress:
Ø Construction of the new bridge abutment “A” continues on the west side of the Lynnhaven Inlet. The first concrete pour on the new bridge abutment took place on Wednesday, October 29th. Placement of the reinforcing steel and formwork for the second tier of the abutment will take place the week of November 3rd.
Ø All of the drilled shafts at Piers 1 and 2 have been installed. Over the next two weeks the Contractor will mobilize equipment to Pier #3, the first in-water pier to be constructed on this project. Also within the next two weeks the Contractor will begin preparing the excavation at Pier #1 for the formwork of the concrete cap.
The temporary bulkhead at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) continues. The tie-back system on the new bulkhead is nearly complete. Construction of the tie-back and waler system on the temporary bulkhead will be completed by Wednesday, November 5th. Placement of the formwork and steel reinforcing for the concrete cap on the bulkhead will also continue through November 5th.
Wick drain installation for the new westbound bridge approach located on the east side of the bridge between Page Avenue and the existing bridge abutment continues. On the west side of the bridge – in front of 3556 On the Bay Condominiums – the subgrade has been prepared for the foundation of the new retaining wall. Between November 5th and November 7th the Contractor will begin to form and place the concrete footing support for the new retaining wall. Delivery of the first concrete panels for the new wall is expected Friday, November 7th.
On the east side of the bridge drainage work also continues. The new storm drainage structures are being placed along Cape Henry Drive in front of Bubba’s and the Lesner Inn. The temporary steel sheeting installed at the corner of Shore Drive and Vista Circle will be removed between November 5th and November 7th. After this is removed, work will begin to install 36-inch stormwater pipe from the structure to the existing 36-inch pipe located on the south side of Cape Henry Drive.
At some point during this construction Cape Henry Drive will be reduced to one lane and the Contractor will have to provide a flagger to control traffic on this road until the new pipe can be installed. Once we have a better idea of schedule for this work, we will issue another project updated with specific dates and estimated duration of the work.
Finally, unrelated to the bridge construction but contributing to the amount of construction work now taking place within the Lynnhaven Inlet and along Cape Henry Drive, is the Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) transmission line rehab work. This is just an FYI to all of you who are curious as to what is going on with the old transmission lines and towers.
DVP is replacing a number of wooden poles and structures along Cape Henry Drive and along the south side of Shore Drive near the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps with galvanized steel monopoles. They will also be installing two new transmission line towers to replace the two aging towers that are currently located in the Lynnhaven Inlet. The new tower on the east side of the inlet (by the Virginia and Maryland Pilots Association) will be installed approximately 210 feet east of the current tower location. The new tower on the west side of the inlet (Lynnhaven Boat Ramp) will be installed approximately 25 feet west of the current tower location. This will result in a new tower spacing of 810 feet that is significantly greater than the current 575 foot spacing.
That’s it for now. Have a safe driving weekend, and keep an eye out for those munchkins roaming the streets tonight!
-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
Zoomed in screen shot of construction cam photo taken at 10am OCT30 2014
“Now, more than a year after he flirted with death, Gulliver is kicking it with the mallard ducks, egrets and white ibis. He hangs out in the moist marsh area on the edge of Owl Creek.”
A helicopter with a platform swoops up to some power lines beside the Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, to save a tangled seagull. (Cindy Clayton | The Virginian-Pilot)
Read & see what Gulliver’s been up to at Pilotonline.com.
It seems the death-defying gull is pleasantly spoiled with neon-colored flying discs and dog toys filled with food: silversides fish and previously frozen mice.
Gulliver also likes to play tricks on the staff: He hides other birds’ food dishes in the corners of the aviary.
All in all though, he’s a pretty mellow bird, considering his lineage, Matthews said. Herring gulls can be a little rough around the edges.
“A man drowned after witnesses say he fell off the bridge on West Great Neck Road just off Shore Drive, said Tonya Borman, a public affairs officer for the Virginia Beach Police Department.”
More at Pilotonline.com.
Coverage at WAVY.com including video.
Coverage at WTKR.com including video.
Coverage at 13NewsNow.com.
Photo credit: 13NewsNow.com
Tragic.
Monday Morning 6:45pm Launch of Wallops Island Orb-3 Rocket to Space Station
Please note the correction in launch time, correct time is 6:45 PM on Monday
According to a Virginian-Pilot article, click here to read to read more.
The next commercial resupply rocket launch to the International Space Station is scheduled for Monday. The Antares rocket will launch at 6:45 p.m. from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and is expected to rendezvous with the space station on Nov. 2, a NASA news release says.
Residents along Shore Drive should be able to see the rocket to the North East (NE) about one minute after launch from the horizon up to 20 degrees above.
For more information about the launch go to the Orbital website.
The launch will be broadcast on NASA TV and streamed online.
You can follow the launch on Twitter @orbitalsciences and on Facebook.
Virginia Beach City Council voted in favor of reducing the number of balloon releases from 49 to 0! It will be included in the state legislative package next year.
Thanks to the public’s response and to City Council for voting in favor of recommending to the Virginia Legislature to make releasing helium balloons illegal.
Photo grabbed from Lynnhaven River NOW Facebook post about this great news
LRNow sez:
We are so inspired by everyone’s response to this! Thank you all for understanding what an unfortunate menace balloons have been, since we know what a delicate and emotional issue this can be. We endorse “bubbles, not balloons!”
From Legislative Package:
23. BAN THE RELEASE OF MORE THAN TEN (10) BALLOONS
SPONSORED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, BARBARA M. HENLEY
Background Information:
The Virginia Code currently allows the release of up to fifty (50) balloons an hour. However, balloons are a substantial threat to waterfowl and the environment and allowing the release of 49 balloons seems excessive. Balloons are a significant part of the litter collected from most waterways.
Request:
The General Assembly is requested to amend the Code of Virginia as follows:
§ 29.1-556.1. Release of certain balloons prohibited; civil penalty
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly release or cause to be released into the atmosphere any balloon which is (i) made of a nonbiodegradable or nonphotodegradable material, including any material which requires more than five minutes’ contact with air or water to degrade and (ii) inflated with a substance which is lighter than air. Any person who violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed five dollars per balloon released, which shall be paid into the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Endowment Fund established pursuant to § 29.1-101.1.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) balloons released by or on behalf of any agency of the Commonwealth, or the United States or pursuant to a contract with the Commonwealth, the United States, or any other state, territory or government for scientific or meteorological purposes or (ii) hot air balloons that are recovered after launch.
Join us for our Meeting Monday October 27th at 730pm at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, includes Project Manager for Lesner Bridge Q & A
Click here for a printable version of the agenda MONDAY 27 OCTOBER 2014
MONDAY 27 OCTOBER 2014
Shore Drive Community Coalition
SDCC General Meeting
MONDAY 27 OCT 2014
7:30-8:30 pm
Where: Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of 3769 Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order:
Meeting topic: Lesner Bridge Construction Project
Presented by Chris J. Wojtowicz
Project Manager, City of Virginia Beach
Officers’ Reports:President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –SEPT Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Paulette Hruska
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Next SDCC- Monday November 24, 2014
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Please check http://www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
Zoomed screen shot of Construction Cam photo taken at noon on Oct 21 2014
“Every five years, Virginia Beach takes a new look at its long-term plan for growth and development. It’s called the Comprehensive Plan, “It’s Our Future,” and we need your input.”
That means you!
One of the reasons you still have time to comment is the work that Shore Drive Community Coalition – your neighbors – does to ensure We The People have a stronger voice.
Updates, info & more at VBGov.com.
Virtual Town Hall to share your input now. 
Have a voice in your neighborhood now!
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – includes notice of lane closures next week October 17th 2014 Update
October 17 2014 UPDATE:
Expect more daytime lane closures today, as well as Monday and Tuesday of next week on eastbound Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the Lesner Bridge.
Today, October 17th and Monday October 20th, the electrical contractor will complete the boring of the new electrical conduit beneath East Stratford Street from the Sushi Restaurant to J&A Racing. Then on Tuesday October 21st the contractor will repair several potholes that have formed on Shore Drive east of East Stratford Street.
*** This work will require a SINGLE LANE CLOSURE on eastbound Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the Lesner Bridge between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm for each day of work.
During this work, a police officer will be located at the intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street to assist with vehicles entering and leaving East Stratford Street from Shore Drive.
The last project update mentioned that several recently placed concrete traffic barriers located on westbound Shore Drive between Page Avenue and the Lesner Bridge had to be replaced and would also require a daytime westbound lane closure to do this work. In lieu of replacement, the contractor is considering repair of these three temporary barriers. Because of that, no daytime lane closure on westbound Shore Drive at Page Avenue is planned at this time.
As for the latest progress:
Construction of the new bridge abutment “A” continues on the west side of the Lynnhaven Inlet. Formwork for the new westbound bridge abutment is now being constructed and is expected to be completed by October 24th. Concrete for the new abutment will likely be placed the week of October 27th.
Two of the four 4’ diameter x 95’ deep shafts have already been constructed at bridge Pier #2. Construction of the two remaining shafts at Pier #2 will be completed by the week of October 20th.
The temporary bulkhead at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) continues. The tie-back system on the new bulkhead will begin to be installed the week of October 20th and is anticipated to be complete by Friday, October 24th. The formwork for the concrete cap on the temporary bulkhead will likely be completed by October 31st.
Grading and preparation of the new westbound bridge approach located on the east side of the bridge between Page Avenue and the existing bridge abutment continues. The contractor is currently excavating the foundation for the new retaining wall that will be installed between 3556 On the Bay Condominiums and Shore Drive.
They also are continuing to install wick drains in the westbound bridge approach area between Page Avenue and the bridge. (“Wick Drains” are being used to accelerate the consolidation of a soft, compressible clay layer that exists approximately 50 feet below grade. As we place select fill material to build up the new bridge approaches, we want to accelerate and greatly increase the consolidation and settlement of this soft layer prior to building the new roadway).
We will continue to keep you informed of our progress as we move forward with this important project.
Have a safe driving weekend!
-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
Zoomed in screen shot of construction cam photo taken at 2pm OCT17 2014
SHORE DRIVE WESTBOUND AT KROGER CLOSED
Bad accident.
Happening now 550pm.
Bird Walks at Pleasure House Point
Sunday, October 19
Friday, October 24 and
Sunday, October 26,
All are 7:30 AM
Enjoy the early morning beauty of Pleasure House Point when the birds are the most active.
We will meet on Marlin Bay Drive at 7:30 AM and enjoy a pleasant ninety-minute walk with a birding expert from the Audubon Society. These programs are free but we prefer that you preregister with Dana@LRNow.org or 757-962-5398.
City Council Candidates Forum Monday, October 20, 6-8:30 PM VB Oberndorf Central Library
City Council Candidates Forum
Monday, October 20, 6-8:30 PM
VB Oberndorf Central Library
Vote Button On Tuesday, November 4, we will be electing seven new members to our City Council. Come to our Forum at the Central library on Monday, October 20th to hear all the candidates’ positions of issues of interest to you.
Co-sponsored by the Princess Anne Garden Club, the Virginia Beach Garden Club, the Back Bay Restoration Foundation, and the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations.
No pre-registration is required. For more information, 757-962-5398 or Karen@LRNow.org.
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – includes notice of lane closures next week
October 10th 2014 update:
Last week we sent out an update on the progress of the Lesner Bridge construction. Before we give you the latest update, we want to let you know now about upcoming lane closures.
On Monday, October 13th and Tuesday October 14th, the electrical contractor will be boring new electrical conduit beneath East Stratford Street from the Sushi Restaurant to J&A Racing. Then on Wednesday October 15th and Thursday October 16th, the electrical contractor will bore beneath Shore Drive from the Sushi Restaurant to the corner near 3556 On the Bay.
*** This work will require a LANE CLOSURE on eastbound Shore Drive between DuPont Circle and East Stratford Street between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm for each day of work.
During this work, a police officer will be located at the intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street to assist with vehicles entering and leaving East Stratford Street from Shore Drive.
Also, no specific day was given by the contractor, but one lane of westbound Shore Drive will be temporarily closed next week from Page Avenue to the existing bridge so that several of the recently placed concrete barriers can be replaced.
This lane closure, when it happens, will take place sometime between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. As soon as we get a firm date and time, we will send out the information to you.
As for the latest progress:
As of today, all of the drilled shafts for the new bridge abutment “A” and Pier #1 located just east of 3556 On the Bay condominiums have been completed. Equipment has been relocated to Pier #2 and drilling of the shafts at Pier #2 has begun. It is expected that all of the drilled shafts for Pier #2 will be completed by the week of October 20th.
Just in case some of you were wondering, spacing between the pier centerlines is 150 feet, except for the center span of the new bridge. Pier spacing at the center span is 225 feet.
The temporary bulkhead at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) continues. The deadmen for the tie-back system on the new bulkhead has been installed and formwork for the concrete cap continues to be installed. This work will continue through at least the week of October 20th.
Grading and preparation of the new westbound bridge approach located on the east side of the bridge between Page Avenue and the existing bridge abutment continues. Over the next two weeks the excavation contractor will be preparing this area, as well as the area between East Stratford Street and the existing bridge, for the new retaining wall that will be located on the north side of Shore Drive.
This bridge project will also relocate and replace the existing traffic signals located at either end of the bridge; one at Shore Drive/East Stratford Street and one at Shore Drive/Vista Circle/Page Avenue. The work will take place in phases over the next several months.
That’s it for now.
Have a Safe Driving Weekend!
-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
Emphasis ours.
screen shot of Construction Cam from today at 730a
Today Show shows off yoga on Chic’s Beach at sunrise
More coverage about arrest of man from Sunday hit & run, chase …
A full list of Palma’s charges can be found below:
1. No Virginia safety inspection
2. Fail to display license plates
3. Operating an unregistered vehicle
4. Display fictitious registration
5. No liability insurance
6. Driving while suspended/revoked 7th offense within 10 years
7. Possession of stolen plates
8. Felony hit and run on a marked State Police car
9. Hit and run on property exceeding $10,000
10. Felony elude
Online court records show his arraignment is at 2 p.m.
A man faces 10 charges after a police pursuit Sunday that included crashes into a Virginia State Police car and two other vehicles along with a fence and a jet ski trailer.
APPREHENDED! “Palma is being held without bond at the Virginia Beach jail.”
State Police with the assistance of Virginia Beach Police, searched for the suspect to no avail.
Virginia Beach Police say Sam A. Palma II was arrested on Thursday, October 9th around 8:00 p.m.
VB City Council Forums coming up. VOTE!
Forum Dates & Times
Thursday October 9
6:30 to 8:30pm Atlantic Shores Baptist Church Forum
1861 Kempsville Road
Virginia Beach
Saturday October 11
8am to 9:30am Virginia Beach Republican Breakfast Forum
Westin Town Center
Wednesday October 15
7pm to 8:30pm John Fredericks Debate
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Beach Campus Student Center (Third Floor),
1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach
Thursday, October 16
7:00pm Bellamy Manor & Stratford Chase
City Council Candidate Forum
Kempsville Middle School
860 Churchill Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Monday October 20
6:00pm to 8:30pm Lynnhaven River Now Forum
Virginia Beach Central Library
Virginia Beach Blvd.
Wednesday October 29
7:00pm to 8:30pm Farm Bureau Forum
1507 Princess Anne Road
Dick Cottrell Youth Arena
Pungo
Any corrections, please let us know.
Surveillance camera from Froggies captures high speed chase from Sunday
Link at YouTube.
Note smoke in upper right.
Authorities continue to search for a driver they say led State Police on a wild chase before smashing into several vehicles at a shopping center and fleeing the scene on foot.
Video & story on Channel 3 & 10 tonight.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 