Chesapeake stands by plan to close Jordan Bridge

Seems the covenants of Mr. Jordan's wishes were not used justly. Corrosion (rust) is a fact of life in a maritime environment, but it is also something that can be held at bay with maintenance.

Ask the Navy how they can keep ships floating in seawater for over 20 years and still be fully functional.

Where did all the money go?!?!

For over 30 yrs. Chesapeake has had a free ride from the generosity of Mr. Jordan’s gift. From what I understand, money collected from the toll was to go into an Enterprise fund to be used solely to maintain the Jordan Bridge. Was that money used for the playground, parking, boat ramp and piers? If so, what does that have to do with maintaining the bridge? That would seem more like a perk for a developer. Inquiring tax payers deserve to know who gained from this mismanagement because it's not us!! Investigate it yourself friends, because government investigations cost money & are slanted. A formal investigation won’t get us a new bridge either. We need to hold those in power accountable now to come up with a better solution than the scrap yard. This is a regional issue that all the cities should be a part of solving…not scrapping without replacement. Remember, these officials can be replaced come the next election.

then why should we stand by Kaine's pushing for all of these proposed tolls. Tolls on the Jordan Bridge got us nowhere and won't until politicians can learn to budget money and use it for the proper purpose. People who are in favor of these tolls in order to get the roads bulit and fixed...... wake up! This is proof that a toll is worthless as a tool for funding the money. I don't mind the toll as long as I know it's being used for that purpose and not squandered on other dumb projects. I mean I see the same darn pothole being fixed five different times in one year! I pass by two place every day that have road closures that have been that way for months... tieing up traffic every day! You can't tell me the localities are that poor!!! I think there should be an official investigation on where our taxes are going!!!

Someone made a comment that when that bridge was built, the cars back then were lighter. I think they were actually heavier but the volume of cars crossing the bridge was significantly less. The Council is probably afraid that the bridge is going to collapse because of the high volume of cars and because the bridge is so narrow.

The City of Chesapeake reported that there is approximately $23 million in the maintenance fund for the Jordan Bridge. So obviously the tolls more that cover the cost of running the bridge. I understand that the repairs will cost much more than that, but if the money had been spent as needed, I'm sure the current condition of the bridge would be much better. Having said that, probably the only fiscally responsible thing to do is tear the bridge down. Still, that doesn't make it right. Tearing it down will cripple the already over-burdened Downtown Tunnel, and I don't even want to think about the situation with the Gilmerton Bridge replacement. Talk about poor timing. I think something is up with the City of Chesapeake and their old buddy Sidney Harrison (remember him?) The land on the Chesapeake side of the bridge is very close to the site where Uncle Sid wanted to build the ethanol plant. And what better way to keep folks in SoNo than to tear down their escape route. This area needs another way to get across the Elizabeth River and have access to 264 and 64 when the Downtown Tunnel and the High-Rise Bridge are backed up.

I agree that the Jordan Bridge should stay open unless it's proven to be less safe than the other local bridges.

I could be wrong but I think because Virginia is a Commonwealth state, some of our local moneys are being spent on transporation projects in other parts of this state that have nothing to do with the Tidewater area!

Maybe if enough people complain between now and the end of the year (which is around the corner) the City Council memebers will change their minds.

Since they have made up their minds to close the Jordan Bridge at the end of the year the tolls they collect from now until then will not be used for maintenance on the bridge so, if we choose to continue using the bridge until then, we should be able to do so for free.

You know - Building and expanding roadways WILL NOT improve traffic congestion and commuting efforts. Closing and not repairing/replacing deficient bridges in an efficient manor does not help. There is no commitment or investment to long term commuting solutions such as a medium/heavy rail transit system - similar to the BART in California. The light rail project in Norfolk is a start, but itself is long over due. It is a good thing that I am leaving the area in a couple years, so I don't have to see my local and state tax dollars be squandered away by all the local and state political bobble-heads. It is a good thing that I am not big investor looking to develop bigger business(es) in the Hampton Roads area. The way that the area progresses to improve its transportation infrastructure is archaic and conservatively hampering the region's potential for growth. No wonder there are no major sports interest in the area - lucky to have an olympic field hockey training center aren't we! The majority of industries support maritime and defense related projects. What to do when defense cut backs begin?

Midtown Tunnel

A multi-vehicle crash has closed the tunnel in both directions.

High Rise Bridge

Traffic was backed up to George Washington Highway.

Downtown Tunnel

Traffic was backed up to Frederick Boulevard.

But...we don't need the Jordan, right?

Chesapeake and VDOT have known for too long that this bridge was going. To have done nothing and now close the bridge is a slap in the face to EVERY citizen in this area. Not only has no money been put aside to build a new bridge, they now make life just that much worse for the rest. Where are all these bridge users going - the high rise and downtown tunnel. As if traffic wasn’t bad enough there already, the City and VDOT will now make travel in the morning and evening that much worse. You’ve only thought of yourselves. How much earlier are people going to have to leave for work? How much gas will people have to buy to sit in this added traffic? All I can say is poor planning. Has anyone thought about what this “extra” traffic is going to do to the high rise bridge and tunnel? I wonder how long before they have to close because localities and VDOT again raise their hands and say “sorry, we don’t have any money.”

Will they wake up & smell the coffee while we sit behind the wheel in traffic jams? Probably not. The Jordan Bridge wasn’t built by the city of Chesapeake. Back when this city was a mere teenager it was gifted in 1977, free & clear by Mr. Jordan. It turned a toll profit for the first 10 yrs. What happened?? ...oh yeah…ZZZZ…Because of official mismanagement this gift horse is going to be shot with no replacement planned whatsoever. I feel like I’m beating a dead horse when I read 18 Million Dollars for a bike path!!! What are they thinking!?! Don’t they know the meaning of PRIORITIES!?! I’ve seen the reports & studied Bridge 101. If it can’t be fixed then it needs to be replaced. Norfolk Mayor Fraim (also chairman of the MPO) states, “This is a severe regional issue”. With all due respect, we already knew that. What we’d like to know is does the MPO have any plans to prevent Mr. Jordan from spinning?

It is common knowledge the Jordan Bridge is in need of repairs. The condition of the bridge has been reported on for years. I do question where the toll money collected for maintenance of the bridge has gone, however I question why the Gilmetrton bridge will be allowed to stay open as it is ranked as a 3 in condition and the Jordan bridge is ranked higher at a 4. Where should the money be spent? The toll money from the Jordan should have been used to addressed the problems with the bridge and effected repairs. (Someone should find this money or hold the responsible persons liable for the cash). Let the Jordan Bridge operate until the Gilmore is fixed. The public is due an explanation as to where the toll money that has been collected for years has gone and why the bridge has become such a disaster.

When politicians start spending tax-payers money wisely. Situations like the Jordan bridge won't exist. But as long as there are wasteful projects, like the Big-Dig in Boston, Massachusetts, a 3.5 mile tunnel. That cost something like 8billion dollars.

"The missing money is in every useless, worthless, meaningless, marginally necessary, ill-advised, and untimely project that has ever been funded in the past."

Even if that were true, the fact is there's no money today. Whatever was spent in the past is gone and isn't going to help this bridge one bit.

Every dollar in the city's budget is there because citizens convinced Council that they wanted the city to provide a service or because of state or federal mandates, that come into being for the same reason. (You should ask Jim Gilmore about some of those unfunded state mandates. His so-called car tax relief dropped a huge unfunded burden on Virginia localities.)

Every day between the hours of 3pm and 6pm the city council members should be out at the 64 high rise bridge in gridlock traffic collecting money in boots. Kind of like the firefighters at busy intersections. Maybe they can raise the additional money that way.

the developer of Belle Harbor. I can't believe nor accept this decision.
the bridge is repairable. the bridge is needed in this military area, I will look into buying it, privatizing it, operating it for another 100 years. Hang in there everyone, it's not over yet.

The missing money is in every useless, worthless, meaningless, marginally necessary, ill-advised, and untimely project that has ever been funded in the past. We continue to allow politicians to waste ever increasing amounts of money on everything except that for which is proper to run our cities, states, and federal governments. Plenty of money for hotels this and hotels that, partnerships that should be illegal, etc. Everything except for the bare minimum to keep the cities running. Look around you and you will see the answer right under your noses. And WE KEEP VOTING THEM INTO OFFICE. We deserve what we get, each and everyone of us.

The bridge is old & unsafe. Nothing lasts forever. I would rather be inconvenienced a bit than die when the bridge crashes into the water, taking me & my vehicle with it!

until January to close it? Close it now! I'm thinking the City of Chesapeake is eyeing the property on their side for more lucrative venues otherwise they would see its current value to its commuters and would find a way to resolve the issue of reparing or replacing it. It's prime waterfront property! Why should they care whether or not the bridge is operable? I've already discontinued using the bridge due to reports it's unsafe. Why should I gamble with my life by continuing to use it before the "magic" date of January?

It makes no sense to spend millions to repair a bridge that will still be 80 years old. Would you spend $700 to put tires on your 1972 Buick that is worth $500? Even with the new tires it is still worth $500 and the engine may still need work or it needs brakes. In other words, it could break down at any time regardless of the new tires. If you want a new bridge, contact the city council and ask them to raise your taxes because their is no Jordan bridge in the budget.