South Norfolk Jordan Bridge a private proposal by FIGG Bridge Developers Chesapeake City Council Update June 23, 2009
A Private Bridge Proposal To: Restore a critical regional transportation link Reconnect South Norfolk and Portsmouth Restore emergency response missing since 1986 Provide a non-tunnel emergency evacuation route Support the federal military interest in the region Eliminate congestion and pollution caused by lift bridges Build a toll bridge as approved by Chesapeake, the General Assembly and the Governor With private money build a new modern Jordan Bridge that otherwise would not be built
Creating Bridges As Art Project led by FIGG Bridge Developers Exclusively Designing and Building Bridges for 30 Years FIGG Bridges in 38 states and 4 countries Over 300 Bridge Awards MINNEAPOLIS NEW JERSEY BOSTON MAINE
Fixed Constraints Fixed termini in Chesapeake and Portsmouth Must fit on property owned by FIGG to comply with City agreement and Acts of the General Assembly No right of eminent domain Maximum mainline grade 5% for ADA compliance Must cross over RR tracks Must complete in-river construction before February Must maintain firm fixed prices from local contractors Must maintain deadline and budget - no exception
Timeline Dec 17: Proposal presented to Mayor, Council members and city staff Dec 23: Proposal formally received by Chesapeake Council Jan 27: Proposal approved by Chesapeake Council Feb 24: General Assembly authorizes emergency project Mar 27: Governor signs emergency replacement into law May 5: Main span removed at private cost May 26: Coast Guard application submitted Jun 5: Coast Guard public notice issued Jul 6: Coast Guard public comment period closes
Main Span Removal
Placing barge support system
600 tons float away
After removal RR bridge north of Jordan 142 ft New South Norfolk Jordan Bridge provides 145 ft. vertical clearance
Location and Characteristics
Multi-use Shoulder 8 12 12 8 8 Text Concept Rendering of Modern South Norfolk Jordan Bridge New South Norfolk Jordan Bridge Two 12 lanes Two 8 safety shoulders 8 ADA compliant barrier-protected sidewalk Old Jordan Bridge 2 Narrow lanes, No shoulders 4 unprotected sidewalk
150 Typical 200 365 200 150 Typical 145 Above MHW 225 High level fixed bridge (no lift span) All electronic toll collection Tolls paid only to cross Elizabeth River Horizontal & Vertical clearances match old bridge 5% Grade meets ADA requirements Landscaped approaches Channel Fender System South Norfolk Jordan Bridge Vertical and Horizontal Clearances shown consistently since Dec. 17, 2008
Southern Branch Elizabeth River 2 Highway lift bridges and 3 RR bridges, excluding closed Jordan Bridge 10 terminal facilities and 3 lift bridges are south of the N&W RR Bridge: Vert. Clearance: 135 ft. Horiz. Clearance: 220 ft. South Norfolk Jordan Bridge: Vert. Clearance: 145 ft. Horiz. Clearance: 225 ft. New Gilmerton Bridge: Vert. Clearance: 135 ft. Horiz. Clearance: 125 ft. ultimate horiz: 222 ft.
South Norfolk Jordan Bridge Vert: 145 ft. Horiz: 225 ft. RR bridges north and south provide less vertical (142 ft.) or less vertical and horizontal clearance (v=135ft. h=220ft.)
New Gilmerton Bridge Vert: 135 ft. Horiz: 125 ft. ultimate: 222 ft. South Norfolk Jordan Bridge Vert: 145 ft. Horiz: 225 ft.
I-64 High Rise Bridge Vert: Unlimited Horiz: 125 ft South Norfolk Jordan Bridge Vert: 145 ft. Horiz: 225 ft.
Bottom Line on Clearances All 5 existing bridges crossing the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River including the new Gilmerton Bridge impose greater vertical or horizontal restrictions than the modern South Norfolk Jordan Bridge.
Regional Benefits
Key Benefits Does not require the use of any taxpayer money - 100% privately financed Does not remove tax-supported funds from any other local, regional, or state project FIGG owns and removes decommissioned bridge - saves taxpayers $2 - $3 million FIGG designs, builds, operates and maintains new fixed high-rise bridge Provides unrestricted water and highway access - No bridge lifts Maintains maximum vertical clearance and adds 5-ft of horizontal clearance Maintains military readiness; only direct connection to Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Maintains military readiness; only direct connection to Norfolk Naval Shipyard Provides better vertical or horizontal clearance than 5 remaining lift bridges Removes all low-level obstructions from the waterway Poses no financial risk to City, Region, State or Federal government Opens to traffic 18 months after construction starts Restores fire, police and emergency response access to South Norfolk Restores critical missing link in regional transportation network Employs 150 people using local contractors and materials - immediate stimulus
Public Hearings, Meetings and Local Interest
December 24, 2008 January 27, 2009 The Virginia Pilot News Coverage
December 27, 2008 January 28, 2009 The Virginia Pilot News Coverage
April 17, 2009 The Jordan Bridge's closing jammed up local headlines in November, now plans are moving ahead to rebuild the decaying cross-over between Chesapeake and Portsmouth. That's just one of the many issues a former Virginia Department of Transportation Commissioner talks about on a special edition of "What Matters." Cathy Lewis goes on-onone with Phil Shucet about Hampton Roads' transportation: past, present, and future Cathy Lewis What Matters April 17, 2009 TV News Coverage
Contacts, Hearings, Meetings, Requested Briefings Dec 2008 - Mar 2009 Dec 23 Chesapeake City Council Public Hearing Jan 6 Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations Jan 12 South Norfolk Civic League Jan 13 Portsmouth City Council Jan 21 Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Jan 22 South Norfolk Revitalization Commission Jan 23 Norfolk Naval Shipyard - Conference Call Jan 27 Chesapeake City Council Public Hearing Jan 28 Receives ship traffic info from Va. Maritime Assoc. Feb 21 Chesapeake Taxpayers Alliance Feb 24 Portsmouth Port & Industrial Commission Feb 28 Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance Mar 11 Chesapeake Port Authority Mar 13 Chesapeake Econ. Development Advisory Committee Mar 19 Hampton Roads Black Chamber of Commerce
Contacts, Hearings, Meetings, Requested Briefings Apr - Jun 2009 Apr 7 USCG Notice to Mariners Jordan Bridge Main Span Apr 8 Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing Apr 17 Thinking Out Loud; Chesapeake Channel 48 Apr 17 What Matters; Cathy Lewis; WHRO Apr 20 Elizabeth River Project Apr 22 HR Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Apr 27 Chesapeake Bicycle and Trails Committee May 14 Chesapeake Historical Commission May 18 WTS - Advancing Women in Transportation, Richmond Jun 3 Virginia Maritime Association Jun 8 South Norfolk Civic League Jun 10 Chesapeake Port Authority Jun 17 Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization Jun 18 Chesapeake Economic Development Authority
Schedule Remaining Chesapeake property transaction complete by June 30 AWI property acquisition complete by June 30 Coast Guard Public Notice period closes July 6 Start construction from Portsmouth side in August 2009 Critical to start on-time to maintain prices and financing Open for traffic before end of 2010
Property Transfers and Easements Completed to date: Deed conveying to FIGG the Chesapeake-owned land in Portsmouth Deeds conveying to FIGG the existing Jordan Bridge Environmental disclosure letter to FIGG Temporary access easements to FIGG over and across Chesapeake property for all purposes relating to the removal and replacement of the Jordan Bridge Non-disclosure agreement to allow sharing of technical information with FIGG
Historic Preservation Efforts Bridge logs/journals catalogued and transferred to Central Library Signs, plaques, and small equipment secured and stored in safe Negotiating with demolition company to obtain a small portion of the bridge structure (tower cap) Video commemorating old Jordan Bridge Will work with community to develop historic preservation plan
Coast Guard Permitting/Public Endorsements Chesapeake Port Authority Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake Economic Development Authority Virginia Beach Vision Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facility Alliance Neighboring Jurisdictions - forthcoming Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads scheduled for June 25, 2009
Public Information Efforts USCG Public Notice posted on City webpage Online comment sheet www.cityofchesapeake.net Comment sheets distributed to libraries and community centers Coverage on Channel 48-WCTV Comments due to City by July 1st Comments due to USCG by July 6 th
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