More than one-fourth of the region’s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, some of the worst concentrated in Chesapeake and Southampton County, according to a report released Wednesday. Of 1,237 bridges, 338 are either in need of repairs or don’t meet modern standards.
Transportation experts stress that the ratings do not necessarily mean the bridges are unsafe. The study also states that Hampton Roads fares better than the state and the nation in terms of percentage of deficient bridges.
The study, conducted by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, is the first comprehensive bridge study in the region and examines bridges owned by localities as well as the state, executive director Dwight Farmer said. In September, the commission will release more specifics about its findings and recommendations.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has conducted separate studies and rankings of its bridges.
According to the commission’s report, the worst bridges are deficient – meaning their structure needs to be regularly monitored, inspected and maintained. Fifty-four bridges fall into this category, and 25 are in Chesapeake and Southampton County. They include the Gilmerton, Jordan and 22nd Street bridges.
Norfolk has the greatest number of obsolete bridges at 74. Obsolete means that bridges don’t meet modern standards because they don’t have adequate lane or shoulder widths, or adequate vertical clearances.
All of the state’s bridges are inspected at least every other year. Some are inspected more frequently based on their condition or design, said Camelia Ravanbakht, the commission’s principal transportation engineer . Bridge inspectors close or impose weight limits on unsafe bridges, she added.
The commission began studying local bridges last year at the request of Chesapeake.
“We knew we had a bridge issue here,” said Earl Sorey, Chesapeake’s acting city engineer.
The report will help city leaders prioritize Chesapeake’s bridge needs, he said. The city has 160 bridges, 90 of which are operated and maintained by the city, he said. The majority are owned by VDOT, he said.
The city’s done a good job of maintaining smaller bridges, but the larger bridges require federal, state and local money, Sorey said. The Gilmerton Bridge is scheduled for a $154 million makeover. The project will be advertised next February, and construction will take about three years, he said.
John Keifer, director of public works for Norfolk, disputed the commission’s report, saying the city maintains 50 bridges. Half are rated in good condition, 24 are fair and only one is “poor or worse,” he said. That bridge, he said, is a culvert on Granby Street near Bayview Boulevard. It will be replaced this year.
According to the report, while 4.4 percent of the region’s bridges are classified as deficient, 9 percent of the bridges in Virginia and 12 percent of the bridges in the United States have deficient ratings.
The deficient and obsolete bridges represent 27.3 percent of all Hampton Roads bridges. By comparison, the report indicates 26 percent of Virginia bridges and 25 percent of U.S. bridges meet the criteria.
Staff writer Harry Minium and news researcher Jakon Hays contributed to this report.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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Do you know the history of the Kings Highway bridge Roger?
Quote "In Suffolk our council was asleep at the switch and VDOT took away our Kings Highway Bridge, without any replacement..."
Very good example of what we need to do now. Had it not been for private business the Kings Highway Bridge would never have existed. That's right, the KHB was built with private funds and then tolled. Just as we could be doing now on a grander scale. Shame the Democrats in this area just don't get it as in free markets and democracy vs socialism. See what happens to an asset when it becomes government controlled? Not run like a business.
structurally deficient?!?!
Transportation experts stress that the ratings do not necessarily mean the bridges are unsafe.
Then what the HELL does that mean, structurally deficient? They're playing politics with our lives!
And I'd settle for them to clean the High Rise Bridge; that thing is LOADED with a junckyard's worth of debris...
Not on your life
jkbrent: "Kaine and his predecessors have already raided VDOT money for non-transportation related projects. Do you honestly think that new taxes would go only to roads?" - Nope. And that's why I don't support new taxes to fund transportation. Our taxes should ALREADY be going to fund transportation. As well as Education and our public safety services. And by education, I mean the public schools and colleges. Not the tons of special projects out there. It's a sad thing, but special projects need to be cut back or consolidated. It's not easy to make those tough decisions, but the condition of our highways/bridges is deplorable and that affects everyone, not just a portion of the population. In trying to spread the budget $ around and keep everyone happy, he is spreading too thin. Gov Kaine: old addage; You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but
Barges hit lesner bridge fenders
Plan on the Lesner to be the first bridge to collapse and kill everyone on it. If the city allows barges in the Lynnhaven Inelet to clear the spoils for the priveleged waterfront owners in the south end via a boat ramp and through these currents... whats the chance,,, uhhhh lets see 100% a barge power never breaking down, high winds, swift tides...the list goes on. the bridge is being fixed now from a barge navigating under this bridge and no small craft advisory was issued that day. The city of VB says that any dredge and barge operations are at the discretion of the contractors doing the work. lets see... aren't contractors at the top of the BBB cpmplaint list or did they move to second to used car sales. The issue of the Inlet being used for barge traffic has nothing to do with safety. It is merely a favor owed to wealthy waterfront owners by their elected concilman.
RE: IT IS FASCINATING HOW ONES
Where I'm coming from is Northern Virginia. An area where roads became parking lots twice day before I-44 Toll Road was even a thought. I don't like the mess anymore than you do. But, I also know that if this state has Billions to give away to overpaid colleges, then it has a few hundred million to spend on these roads without picking my pocket or yours. Kaine and his predecessors have already raided VDOT money for non-transportation related projects. Do you honestly think that new taxes would go only to roads?
Re: Roger Leonard
I agree with you completely: your bridge is but one. Whose vital bridge is going to be next? It is past time to stop talking and get repairs or replacements built before we have a serious disaster on our hands. What I fear is the engineers understating the cases instead of overstating them. There are bridges in this area I go out of my way to avoid: the Jordan and Gilmerton are but two of them. Waiting is only going to make them worse and increase the chances of people getting hurt or even killed.
lobbyist?
Mike Barrett said "They have turned a blind eye toward the needed funding increases necessary to pay for maintenance and repair."
So says our resident lobbyist for the highway construction industry.
(HINT: Fixing bridges wont get you higher occupancy rates. You want MORE roads, remember??)
jmo
At least you have a bridge
In Suffolk our council was asleep at the switch and VDOT took away our Kings Highway Bridge, without any replacement...
VDOT did not maitain the bridge when it was their responsibility and when the City took over Road Maintenace a few years ago, due to past mistakes by the City to hold VDOT accountable, the bridge was demolished. Just last week the MPO took the bridge replacement off the transportation plan and the last of the funds for this bridge replacement were taken away for other projects. Our Mayor and City Council really have no plan on how to pay for a new bridge and we all are driving around an eighteen mile deture. This works out to a five dollar toll (more than one gallon of fuel per car) each way... On top of this, there seems to be a well-connected group who just do not want a bridge in their back yards.
As a result, this vital bridge that connects our community is now gone and looks like it ju
Apparently
we are going to wait until something fails before we address the transportation issue. Then the public will be crying about the inaction of our general assembly, demanding to know why something wasn't done sooner.
The image of the majority
The image of the majority leader and the Speaker in the House of Delegates, celebrating because they had defeated the Governor's attempt to fund maintenance and construction for local roads, is the best reason why our once efficient and effective transportation is now actually deteriorating rapidly. They have turned a blind eye toward the needed funding increases necessary to pay for maintenance and repair. Their intrasigence is because the republicans have signed to No New Taxes pledge required by Grover Norquist. Frankly, I don't feel that I have a representative in the House of Delegates; our Hampton Roads Republican delegation indicated they got the issue, but under pressure from the Majority Leader and the Speaker, they wilted like flowers in the hot sun. I want to be repesented, and will work hard to ensure we get Delegates who will do their duty to me, not to Grover Norquist.
There use to be money
There was money for roads years ago - then the politicians- catering to the public- pushed for road enhancements - taking down concrete walls on bridges and replacing with aluminum railing etc- pusing VDOT jobs out before they were ready resulting in stoppages and overruns because of environmental problems. Then we had a Governor who spent like crazy over what we had to spend so VDOT had to play catchup.
I can remember going out on a very large bridge here, drilling to bolt down traffic barriers and watching the entire pavement fall into the Bay. Years ago we did lots and lots of maintenance - it's not being done like it should now and it keeps getting worse and worse. But no one wants to pay for it - whine, whine, fix it but I don't want to pay for it. And to think people want to put into the Presidency someone who wants to give even more to the whiners.
I just don't get it.
Clarify data
The report though seems a bit biased in the means of reporting. Structurally deficient and functionally obsolete are two distinct variables. Deficient in it self could mean needs repair OR not up to current standards though they meet standards of the day. Functionally obsolete could be as simple as too narrow for trucks and cars - i.e. cars only. Though obsolete they may be as strong and in condition as when new.
Seems report though valid in regards to needs for repair plays anumbers game to create an effect.
where's the money?
The city’s done a good job of maintaining smaller bridges, but the larger bridges require federal, state and local money, Sorey said. The Gilmerton Bridge is scheduled for a $154 million makeover. The project will be advertised next February, and construction will take about three years, he said.
Are we to believe that the $154M makeover is not funded? Are we to believe that nobody ever thought to fund bridge maintenance?
I have a real problem being taxed for something that I'm already being taxed for. If all road maintenance funds have been exhausted (on road maintenance, not pet projects) then it's time to talk new taxes. Is this the case?
jmo
simple verse & complex irony
The irony of the region's moniker is lost amongst the droning, repetitive complaints of the "don't tax me" crowd. Hampton Roads, indeed!
Hey Jason
Maybe your reaction to my comment would be valid if you actually read the links I put in the comment BEFORE you knee jerked yourself into being just as ignorant as the rest of us. Those of us that cross the Lesner Bridge on a daily basis and rely on it for a hurrican evacuation route are worried just like you are. The difference is that we have to worry about the condition of the bridge and currents and barges.
Understanding?
What the folks who comment do understand is that Virginia's infrastructure is being neglected by our elected officials. It is our elected officials who are nonsensical and silly. They are playing politics rather than doing the job they were elected to do as the peoples' representatives. They do not fear bridge failure even though there have been bridge failures; they fear not getting re-elected to the exclusion of every responsibility of their jobs.
Jason
Thanks for your knee-jerk reaction to everyone's knee-jerk reactions. Maybe you choose to be ignorant regarding this sort of information but obviously there are some that disagree. I for one travel across the Gilmerton a great deal and I still get a little nervous everytime. Why not post a comment that actually pertains to the article rather then people's comments?
I wonder where the Lesner Bridge falls in this list?
I guess that question is irrelevent because structurally sound or not THE LESNER BRIDGE (our HURRICANE EVACUATION route) should be publically deemed not viable under any conditions for a Permanent Dredge Transfer Station.
Not sure what I am talking about go to:
www.BoatRampClosing.com.
Still not sure if Barges, Currents and Bridges don't mix go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Good example
Comments in there are a good example why you don't publish engineering information like this. People just don't have the background to understand it so they knee jerk in nonsensical fear mongering and/or political silliness.
More tax dollare not being used where they are supposed to be
Robertm - LOL!!! I love that. :)
Well, I guess the dollars used for 'redevelopment' could be re-targeted for repairs of our roads. Wait. What am I saying. That would be common sense, and our fair city leaders don't speak that.
AND..while I'm venting about leaders, I just saw on CNN that Congress is trying to pass a bill that would stop Speculators on trading just to raise the price of oil! About time! Wait...not they say that the Democrats probably won't pass it, because the freaking Republicans want to attached the drilling offshore initiative to it. Why can't we get just ONE freaking bill passed on just ONE freaking issue!!! We want to stop the Speculators. I would think that both Democrats AND Republicans would want that. But no. Someone else has to muck up the issue with 'attachments'. Bills should deal with one issue and one issue only based on it's own merit. And this Speculator bill is IMPO
How much would the repairs cost?
If you could fix all the deficient bridges for say a billion dollars, I'd say lets get on with it. Where would the money come from? Well we seem to be able to spend $12 billion a month in Iraq with no problem, so I wouldn't think coming up with $1 billion should be so hard. If we're going to sink with debt, we might as well sink with good bridges.
time to trim entitlement
time to trim entitlement programs for the few and fix our infastructure for the majority
Song of the ages
America’s Bridges are falling down,
falling down, falling down, America’s Bridges are falling down,
Says My fair Tax Man.
Take a Wallet and pick it dry,
pick it, pick it dry Take a Wallet and pick it dry,
Says My fair Tax Man.
Build it up with Gold and Silver,
Gold and Silver, Gold and Silver, Build it up with Gold and Silver,
Says My fair Tax Man.
Gold and Silver I have none,
I have none, I have none, Gold and Silver I have none,
Says My fair Tax Man.
That's ok I'll get soon,
get it soon, get it soon, That's ok I'll get it soon,
Says My fair Tax Man.
Take a Wallet and pick it dry,
pick it dry, pick it dry Take a Wallet and pick it dry,
Says My fair Tax Man.
Signs
I think there should be a sign on each of the bridges showing the ratings. So if you normally cross a bridge that is in poor condition, you can rethink your route.
Both sides of the Aisle
As long as we have spenders of tax dollars on both sides of the aisle wasting tax money on anything and everything to win there power our infrastructure will deteriorate to the point of no return. Until the public wakes up and stops saying cut him but don't cut me the left and the right will keep on wasting OUR money. There is enough tax money collected to take care of all of the problems with the infrastructure in this country and more tax increases will only exasperate the problem.
Mixed up priorities
Here in Chesapeake our City Council believes giving 4.3 million to Wal-Mart for an access road and building apartment buildings like Bell Harbor in the middle of an industrial location, is more important than strengthening our infrastructure. We have over 500 million dollars of unfunded projects that could be considered as crucial infrastructure and we continue to spend funds on non-essential projects. The safety of our citizens must be above everything else, the past few years have proven otherwise by our council. If this were untrue a greater flow of funding would be directed towards our infrastructure.
Any surprise here?
The problems with the infrastructure of America have been noted for years and hardly anything is being done about it. It is a nightmare and a disaster just waiting to happen. If Eisenhower was alive today, he'd be howling - and for good reason - many good reasons. The fine interstate highway system he helped establish is falling apart and so are the intrastate feeder roads. It could easily be another sure sign that America is in decline . . .
It is fascinating how ones
It is fascinating how ones reaction to this story depends upon where you are coming from. The first two herein adopt the opinion of the current majority in the House of Delegates that just celebrated becasue they blocked new funding for maintenance and construction. Their take on the article is that let's celebrate and continue our current policies until 100% of the bridges and culverts are unsafe.
We paid for it already!
If allocated funds collected from the taxpaying public are left alone and not spent on stupidity like how ants react to music then perhaps said funds would be available when needed.
Taxes & Bridge Safety
If taxes aren't used to build, maintain & repair public highways & bridges, from where is the money coming? Would we really want all roads, bridges, tunnels, etc,. to be privately owned & maintained? That would open several cans of worms.