Lesner Bridge Replacement. April 24, 2017 Update. Construction Camera. Rendering of the Completed Lesner Bridge Structure

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1 Lesner Bridge Replacement Rendering of the Completed Lesner Bridge Structure Construction Camera A construction camera has been installed to view images of the bridge construction. Images are updated on the hour. April 24, 2017 Update Folks: Foundation work for the new eastbound Lesner Bridge is progressing as scheduled and the contractor is now installing the drilled shaft foundations in Pier #3, the first water pier for the eastbound bridge. But before we get into the details of the bridge construction, I want to point out one feature of the eastbound bridge that is not present in the westbound bridge the Scenic Overlook. This overlook will be located on the southwest side of the bridge right across from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps.

2 Scenic Overlook Area Located on the Southwest side of the New Eastbound Lesner Bridge The plans show that a cast-in-place concrete planter was to be built within this Scenic Overlook; however, in lieu of this planter the Public Art Virginia Beach Foundation has worked with renowned artist, Donald Lipski, and private donors to provide a unique one-of-a-kind signature sculpture known at The Canoes. This work was presented last Thursday by Mr. Lipski at the Bayfront Advisory Commission meeting. Additional information can be found on the City of Virginia Beach website in the News Center.

3 Proposed Sculpture THE CANOES by Donald Lipinski Back to bridge construction! As mentioned earlier, foundation work for the new eastbound bridge is progressing well. Only one more concrete pour remains for the completion of bridge Abutment A (west side of Lynnhaven Inlet), all of the drilled shafts have been installed for bridge piers 1 and 2 and two of the five drilled shafts have already been completed for pier 3. Multiple activities are occurring concurrently. As the drilled shafts are being installed, McLean is continuing to install temporary trestle towards the pier 4 location. Footing preparations for pier 1 are ongoing and the construction of the pipe pile falsework between Abutment A and pier 1 is well underway. This falsework is being constructed as a mirror image of the temporary steel falsework that the yellow gantry is now supported on and located on the north side of the bridge. Once this falsework is complete, plans will be made to place two steel girders across Shore Drive (and the new bridge) to connect both sets of falsework. The gantry will then be winched across Shore Drive from north to south and put into position to begin erecting the superstructure of the new eastbound bridge. Stay tuned as more details of this move become available. Demolition of the old bridges also continues. The deep main span footings (pier 14 and 15 of the old bridges) are currently being cut and removed from the Lynnhaven Inlet. Most of the accessible piles located west of Federal Channel have been removed. The remaining superstructure of the old bridges located east of the Federal Channel has already been sawcut and is ready for demolition after the gantry is moved. AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 123 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by August Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will: Continue bridge demolition;

4 Install the remaining drilled shaft foundations at Pier #3; Install the concrete seal slab at Pier #4; Place the leveling pad for the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the new bridge; Continue filling and grading operations at the new bridge abutments; Install the new traffic signal pole and foundation on the southeast corner of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street; Continue installation of the steel falsework between Abutment A and Pier #1 to support the segment assembly gantry crane Grade and place the reinforcing steel for the footing at Pier #1 That s it for now. Please drive safely! -Chris April 6, 2017 Update To All: Since the last project update in December much has changed on the Lesner Bridge crossing Lynnhaven Inlet! On the evening of January 17th, 2017 the eastbound lanes of Shore Drive traffic were switched over to the new westbound Lesner Bridge thus completing Phase 3 of 5 on the project and preparing the way for the demolition of the old Lesner Bridges and the construction of the new eastbound Lesner Bridge. Demolition of both old bridges began on January 25th, 2017 and continues today. Contrary to what some folks believed, NO BLASTING will be used to in the demolition of the old bridges. In fact, the decks of the bridges have been strategically cut to allow each beam of each span to be removed individually. Most of the removed beams with attached deck will be transferred to barges for disposal at Cabbage Patch Reef located off the shoreline of Kiptopeke State Park. Some of the removed degraded beams were chosen by Virginia Tech to be saved and transported to Blacksburg for strength testing - but that is another story. The remaining piles of the bridge are cut off 4-feet below the ground surface if they are on land or are vibrated out if they are located within the water.

5 Center Steel Spans of the Old Lesner Bridges Removed Pile Removal from Old Lesner Bridge

6 Cabbage Patch Reef Located in the Chesapeake Bay Barge Loaded with Beam and Deck Sections of the Old Lesner Bridge We are not waiting for the old bridges to be completely removed before beginning construction of the new bridge. All of the foundation piles from bridge abutment A (west side of the Lynnhaven) have been installed and the first of three concrete pours for the footing was completed on 3/28/2017. The four drilled shaft foundations for Pier column #1 were completed today, March 30th and over the weekend crews will move drilling equipment over to the cofferdam already installed for Pier column #2.

7 Completed Footing Base at Abutment A In summary, the following work has been completed since the last project update (12/21/2016): All Shore Drive traffic moved to the new westbound Lesner Bridge; Approximately 40% of the old Lesner Bridges have been demolished; All wick drains located at both bridge abutments have been installed; All of the remaining piles for Abutment A have been driven; The footing for Abutment A has been completed; The steel reinforcing for the segment pedestal and backwall at Abutment A has been installed; All four drilled shafts for Pier Column #1 have been installed; Retaining walls for new sidewalk installed along the southeast corner of East Stratford Street and Shore Drive. AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 102 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by August Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will: Continue Bridge Demolition; Install the drilled shaft foundations at Pier #2; Complete the construction of Abutment A; Continue filling and grading operations at the new bridge abutments; Install the new traffic signal pole and foundation on the southeast corner of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street; Begin excavation for the leveling pad of the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the new bridge; Begin installation of the steel falsework between Abutment A and Pier #1 to support the segment assembly gantry crane. That's it for now. Please drive safely! -Chris