Under Construction
Gilmerton Bridge Replacement Project |
| Chesapeake |
Project Photos
Project at a Glance
November 2009
Est Completion Date
Substantial Completion October 2013
Cost
Estimated Project Cost: $158,000,000
Locality
Chesapeake
Contact
Robert A. 'Bud' Morgan, PE, Construction Manager
757-494-5472
Project Updates
To receive information about this project, please send an e-mail to GilmertonInfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov with the subject line: SUBSCRIBE.
Recent Traffic Advisories
Extended Overnight Bridge Closures Through June 2012
About the Project
The Gilmerton Bridge Replacement project on Military Highway in the city of Chesapeake will provide a new lift span bridge over the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and replace the existing double-leaf bascule bridge that was constructed in 1938.
The new bridge, 1,908 feet long with a vertical clearance of 35 feet in the closed position and up to 135 feet when the lift span is opened, will be constructed in phases on the existing Military Highway alignment. The new bridge width, of 85 feet, will accommodate future widening of Military Highway, from four lanes to six.
November 1, 2009 - Start construction
Winter 2010 - Lane closures and speed reductions begin
October 2013 - Construction substantial completion
Tower Construction Activities to begin September 18
Construction Activity Overview
Tower construction activities will include delivery and assembly of approximately four million pounds of structural steel components. The vertical lift towers include 1,000 steel members, each ranging from 5,000 pounds to 150,000 pounds; the average component is comparable in size to a pickup truck.
Related activities include heavy lifts with large cranes, alignment of the connections and extensive reinforcement at heights of approximately 200 feet. Access to the vertical lift towers will be suspended above the existing bridge.
Due to the complexities associated with this phase of construction - that the steel tower formation will occur over the existing roadway - continuous traffic cannot be safely maintained. The bridge will close each night at 8 p.m. and reopen the next morning at 5 a.m., to minimize impacts of construction during daytime hours.
Bridge Closure Schedule
Sunday through Thursday
8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Beginning on September 18, 2011
Overnight closures will remain in place through tower assembly
Motorists should use the I-264 Downtown Tunnel or the I-64 High Rise Bridge as alternate routes during the overnight bridge closures.
Current Bridge Information:
Located on Military Highway west of Bainbridge Boulevard
Crosses the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River
Twin bascule span, four-lane bridge operated by the city of Chesapeake
Constructed in 1938
Height (at Mean High Tide): 11 Feet
Weight Limits:
14 Tons/28,000 lbs (Single Units)
20 Tons/40,000 lbs (Semi-Trailers)
27 Tons/54,000 lbs (Twin-Trailers)
The bridge opens on demand, except during restricted periods.
Rush Hour Restrictions:
During all phases of construction, attention will be given to minimizing impacts to the motoring public, including during peak travel periods such as morning and afternoon rush hours.
Coast Guard Approves Gilmerton Bridge Regulations:
Coast Guard Regulations during Replacement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why do you have to close the bridge overnight during the tower construction phase?
A: Crews will be assembling the towers over the existing Route 13 Gilmerton Bridge. These assembly activities include lifting steel beams from large cranes over the roadway, putting them in place and connecting them. These activities will be take place about 200 feet off of the ground and over the existing roadway. Traffic cannot be safely maintained while these activities are underway.
Q. How long will the bridge be closed?
A. During the tower construction phase, the bridge will close Sunday through Thursday, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. These overnight bridge closures are required throughout this phase of construction, which is estimated to be complete in June, 2012.
Q. Is there a detour or alternate route?
A: Motorists are encouraged to use the I-64 High Rise Bridge or the
I-264 Downtown Tunnel as an alternate route during overnight bridge closures.
Q: Why is this project important to our region and the city of Chesapeake?
A: The Gilmerton Bridge is a vital transportation route for over 35,000 motorists per day. The bridge replacement project will support the future widening of Military Highway and has many features to ease traffic congestion and maritime movement in Hampton Roads, for many years to come.
Q: What are the key features of construction and proposed milestone dates?
A: The bridge replacement project will be reconstructed in three phases. First, the contractor will construct the eastbound side of the bridge, which should be complete in approximately two years. Motorists will be limited to one lane in each direction and shifted to the westbound lanes of the bridge during this Phase. During Phase Two, the bridge will be closed for 14 days to allow for the new bridge to be floated in via barge. Finally, during Phase Three, the contractor will construct the westbound lanes of the bridge, shifting motorists to the east for this final two years of construction.
Q: Why is VDOT replacing the Gilmerton Bridge?
A: The Gilmerton Bridge was constructed in 1938 as a twin bascule span, four-lane bridge. In service for more than 70 years, this type of bridge system has reached its life expectancy.
The new 1,908 foot bridge will have a vertical clearance of 35 feet in the closed position, compared to the existing 11-foot clearance. The project will be constructed on the existing Military Highway alignment and will provide a bridge width of 85 feet to accommodate future widening of Military Highway from four lanes to six lanes. Ultimately, the new bridge will be wider to accommodate traffic congestion and taller for enhanced maritime access leading to fewer annual bridge lifts.
Q: When will the project be completed?
A: The project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
Q: What will the new bridge look like?
A: The existing Gilmerton Bridge is a twin bascule bridge system which consists of two spans, or leaves, which meet in the middle and swing up horizontally over the channel to open. The new bridge is a lift span bridge, which elevates up to accommodate maritime traffic, and then descends to close.
Q: Why does the bridge take so long to build?
A: The replacement bridge will take approximately three years to build while remaining open to vehicular traffic. Although construction of the span will take time, the project team coordinated the construction schedule to significantly less impact on the motoring public.
Q: I would like to have a Gilmerton Bridge presentation at my business, association or civic organization meeting. How can I schedule this?
A: Contact the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Office of Public Affairs to schedule a presentation. Call 757-925-3606 or email Nora.Chivers@vdot.virginia.gov.
