CHESAPEAKE
The Jordan Bridge should be closed if $4 million in structural repairs are not made within the next year, according to a city report.
The bridge, which has been open to the public for 80 years, carries about 7,000 vehicles each weekday - including motorists commuting to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth.
The money would go toward improving the bridge's badly rusted deck, piles and beams. Even if the repairs are made, public works officials say, an additional $13 million in repairs would be needed within the next 10 years.
Officials "believe that the bridge is at the point of diminishing returns and any additional investments in repairs are returning little useful life," the report said.
The status report is part of a recently completed 15-page memo that details two of the city's most pressing and expensive transportation needs. It also includes widening Dominion Boulevard and replacing the Steel Bridge that carries the road across the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.
City Manager William Harrell said the report shows "the city cannot handle all of the transportation demands before us."
In the case of the Jordan Bridge, the report presents the city with a difficult decision.
"If it was a question of a one-time repair, that would be one thing," said Councilwoman Debbie Ritter. "Apparently, it's a much larger issue than a one-time repair. This has to really, really be evaluated. It's a very, very difficult decision."
"It is probably an obsolete bridge, but I don't think we can get rid of it, truthfully," said Burnie Mansfield, secretary of the Chesapeake Port Authority and president of the Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations.
Widening Dominion Boulevard and replacing the Steel Bridge could cost $373 million, according to the report. The project has about $45 million largely from federal funding, but officials are unsure of where the rest of the money could come from. The city cannot assume the full debt burden on the project without deferring all other city and school projects, officials say.
In the meantime, the city will recommend lowering the speed limit on a busy part of Dominion from 55 mph to 50 mph. The City Council will vote tonight on spending $2.2 million to pave the road's shoulders, and may discuss other interim improvements.
The report was released roughly two months after the city agreed to pay $4.3 million to settle a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of two teenagers who were injured in a crash that their attorneys blamed on Dominion's poor shoulder conditions.
Dominion Boulevard "represents a serious threat to public safety" and is also a hassle for drivers, the report concluded.
The report points out that the prospect of getting state funding for Dominion appears to be "remote at best." City leaders hoped the Dominion Boulevard project would be funded by a regional transportation authority, but the authority was struck down by the Virginia Supreme Court earlier this year.
And on Monday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Virginia may have to make serious budget cuts to make up for sagging revenues. That doesn't bode well for Chesapeake's bridge and road problems, Harrell said. "It sends a clear message that the state isn't sending any additional resources for transportation," Harrell said of the report.
In 1995, the city spent $2.2 million to repair the Jordan Bridge and extend its operational life by five years. That same year, officials imposed a 3-ton vehicle limit on the bridge, said Interim Public Works Director Eric Martin. Another $252,000 in repairs were made in 2004. The next year, the city raised the toll from 50 cents to 75 cents to cover routine maintenance, Martin said.
In 2007, the City Council learned that the Virginia Department of Transportation gave the bridge a sufficiency ranking of 4 on a 100-point scale, putting it among the most poorly rated in the area. At the time, city officials said the bridge was so frail that a wheelbarrow was used to deliver asphalt for repairs instead of a truck.
A March inspection revealed 10 critical items that must be repaired within 12 months, according to the report.
City officials emphasized that the bridge is a public-safety issue.
In July, a 68,000 pound tractor trailer broke city weight restrictions and drove on the bridge, Martin said. An inspection later uncovered additional cracks in the road surface, he said.
Making $4 million in repairs would put the Jordan Bridge out of commission for three months.
Even if the bridge is permanently closed, removing it could cost $2.3 million, the report said.
The city is worried about how closing the bridge would affect Norfolk Naval Shipyard commuters. Out of the 7,000 vehicles that cross the bridge each weekday, about 2,000 could be operated by shipyard employees and personnel assigned to ships under repair there, said shipyard spokesman Steve Milner.
"If the Jordan Bridge were to close, it could have a significant impact on those persons commuting from Chesapeake and from other southside cities," Milner said.
Mansfield said he also is torn. It's probably more of a convenience than a necessity, he said. And if officials were to take an old, costly bridge down, that would probably be the one. But it's also been a stable bridge, and one that is frequently photographed for its historical value.
"It's an antique," he said. "It's been a part of the landscape. What a beautiful bridge."
Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com
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Reid-here's a cheaper solution
The new bridge should originate from the current Poindexter exit from 464. That would service both the shipyard workers and the new (imaginary) residents of SONO. Either Victory Boulevard or Elm Street on the Portsmouth side would have to be improved. I believe both have state road designations, so the improvements would have to be paid for by the state. George Washington Highway (also a state road) would also have to be improved, since one direction leads to the Downtown Tunnel and the other direction leads to Military Highway and 64. Except for rush hour, 464 still has plenty of capacity for traffic diverted from either of these other two highways. Unfortunately, there's not much that we can do about rush hour traffic. It is what it is, and there's not much hope in sight. I was told by a citizen of Chesapeake that one of the reasons that Chesapeake didn't put any money into the Jordan Bridge,
Whoa, calm down, reid
Read my post again. I lamented that, while a new 264 that bypassed downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth by crossing the river near the Jordan Bridge's current spot would do wonders to help traffic, it's nothing more than a dream thanks to our current transportation funding problem. (Such a project would be funded by the state.) That problem, is being caused by the House republicans and their adamant refusal to provide any meaningful funding to the state's transportation fund.
Democrats & GOP to blame - local and state - & VDOT, CTB, MPO
Ken, in your post you appear to blame only "house republicans". Dude, nothing in HB 3202 or Democratic Governor Tim Kaine's transportation plan addressed this bridge. This is not a "republican" failure, it is a utter failure of government at all levels. Local government, the MPO, the CTB (Commonwealth Transportation Board), VDOT, the General Assembly, and the Governor - a whole lot of them. This is an 80-year old bridge that should have been planned for replacement a long, long time ago. The fact that the toll was raised 5 years ago to pay for needed repairs that were not made should result in criminal charges! But don't just blame the GOP for this mess.
new spot for I-264
It'd be nice if 264 could be rerouted through this area. Build a spur from near Campostella Rd, west through South Norfolk, over the River where the Jordan Bridge is now (build a new nridge high enough that it doesn't have to be a draw bridge) and connect with the current 264 near Frederick Blvd. That'd get rid a lot of the downtown tunnel traffic.
But given how we can't even fund any transportation projects in this state that would help worse spots (third crossing, new midtown tunnel) that's nothing more than a pipe dream. Thanks a lot, House Republicans.
Have Faith
Have faith in your elected civic leaders to come up with innovative ways to address the pressing issues and overcome them. With comments by Debbie Ritter like "This really, really has to be evaluated. It's a very, very difficult decision." I know I feel all warm and fuzzy. Did she think she was running for president of her sorority or City Council?
Delay, delay, delay.......
Now Chesapeake is going to pave the shoulders of Dominion AFTER the millions of dollars in lawsuits paid out. Will the City decide to repair/replace the Jordan Bridge after it collapses and millions more in lawsuit payouts? For those who use the Jordan Bridge: drive with your windows open, it's easier to get out of your sinking car.
Priorities
The City of Chesapeake recently "created a community development authority to shoulder the debt for $35 million in public improvements that will be funded by money from a special South Norfolk taxing district." for the Belharbour Station at SONO, right next to this bridge! Why can't this same "special taxing district" also be used to fund the repair or replacement of the bridge that will feed the area? Why is it that development continues full speed ahead while the infrastructure to move the residents to/from/around the new developments is either under-planned or missed completely??
Jordan Bridge
South Side development continues; $17 million in repairs is what, 1/20 or less than the cost of a new bridge?
Ha!
Didn't see that comment before I posted. Glad to see not all have forgotten.
Minnesota anyone?
Maybe when the bridge collapses like the one in Minnesota, they will finally get a clue and start doing something.
Jordan Bridge collapse
The Jordan Bridge collapsed today falling into the Elizabeth River under the stress of peak rush hour traffic. Minor injures were reported and only a few drowning. The Commonwealth Transportation Board, and Hamptonroads Transportation Authority is investigating what could have caused this tragedy.
In other news the Five Billion Dollar Third Crossing is near completion and will soon be able to serve the Virginia Port Authority truck traffic. GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRIAGHT HAMPTONROADS.
Our Money Wasted Again
Yeah, citizens you are right, this bridge has a toll. Where exactly is the city spending the money?
I agree we should increase the toll fees. First, we need to make sure the money is being spent on bridge maintenance for the Jordan Bridge. How about auditing the practices of Chesapeake Public Works? I am sure we will find out that they wasting our money.
City Council, why don't you start fixing the infrastructure in South Norfolk before condemning railroad crossings for a development that is obviously in the wrong location.
Bridge after bridge
Take your pick of the bridges over the southern branch of the Elizabeth River: they all need work if not replacement. The city of Chesapeake has waited too long and now have problems with all of them. The Jordan should be replaced as overflow for the downtown tunnel. The bridge at Military HWY needs serious attention too if not outright replacement.
If you look across the U.S., there are many cities and states that are in the same situation with neglected roads and bridges. If the country wasn't dumping so much money overseas, maybe, just maybe we could get federal assistance to improve the country's infrastructure.
the jordan bridge
the city of chesapeake needs to keep its historical property up the same way it makes its citizens who owne historic property keep thers up whats good enough for the citizens of chesapeake should be good enough for the city manigers ,its always the same thing with the jordan how many times has it been closed for repairs over the past years it was closed once for a year or more. was this also because the city spent the money in other areas.the jordan provides an alternate route to interstate 264 and the berkly bridge and tunnels when trafic is stoped or thers an accident in the tunnels ,it also keeps 7000 cars and ther where and tare off of interstate 264 the berkly bridge and tunnels every day.so it makes no sence to close the jordan just fix it (( Right )) or tare it down and build a new bridge .but stop always acting like its a shock that no one seen this comming ,the citisens have payed for the use of the jor
MPO plan and HB 3202 raised regional taxes, fees, & tolls - but
The MPO plan and HB 3202 did NOTHING for this bridge. Instead, the "regional plan" works hard to raise BILLIONS in new regional taxes, new tolls, and new fees - but only for speculative "economic development", not real needs - like this bridge! Friends, the MPO, HRPDC, HRT, and the Hampton Roads Partnership/Chamber of Commerce continue to push a bad transportation plan on us. Are you sick of them yet?
Portsmouth finest again?
Maybe if we agreed to call the new bridge "Black Bridge", Sen. Lucas and James Holley would put a little effort into getting it replaced.
Remember the Midtown Tunnel and Isobel?
What would have happened to Norfolk's traffic when the Midtown Tunnel flooded during Hurricane Isolbel without the Jordan Bridge? It only makes sense to have a bridge taking Shipyard and other traffic over to Chesapeake.
Oh. That's the problem with this observation. "It makes sense...."
long overdue
That thing needed major repairs when I last crossed it some 50 years ago.
Learn from Suffolk
Chesapeake should maintain the Jordan Bridge because of location and a relief for Downtown Tunnel traffic. I hope Chesapeake City Officials will see the importance of the Jordan Bridge in our transportation system. Not to follow the lead of officials of the City of Suffolk, which let the Kings Highway Bridge to be demolished without a replacement bridge planned. The Jordan Bridge is more than a bridge it's a historical landmark.
Hmmm. Tolls are for? what again?
JORDAN BRIDGE TOLL INCREASE BECOMES EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST
CHESAPEAKE - Tolls on the Jordan Bridge, linking Chesapeake with Portsmouth, will go up 25 cents beginning July 1 to provide funds for increased maintenance and operations costs.
The toll will change from 50 to 75 cents for a two-axle vehicle, and marks the first time the fare has increased since 1991. The 25 cents toll for each additional axle remains unchanged.
The Chesapeake Department of Public Works will be making significant repairs and improvements to the Jordan Bridge over the next several years.
cont. next post