Jordan Bridge Could Be Closed

(CHESAPEAKE, VA)-A 7,000-foot structure that's in use by thousands of people a day will soon be closing for service if repairs aren't made in time.

The Jordan Bridge, a vertical lift span, two-lane bridge operated by the City of Chesapeake constructed in 1928 will be closed by December if the city decides that's the best option.

Constructed in 1928, the bridge serves residents surrounding the Elizabeth River, City of Chesapeake, and the southern portion of Hampton Roads.

Closing the bridge could add more time on the highway for the majority of drivers who already suffer through the traffic of Military Highway, Highways 264 and 64 during rush hour.

It was formally known as the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bridge, and if you look real hard through the rusty sign, you can still see the wording for the original name. City reports cite that it would cost millions to repair. Though there have been some options placed up for discussion, nothing has been made official.

The Virginian Pilot recently published an article on the issue, with City Manager William Harrell saying that, "This appears to be the only viable option." He added, "We don't want to wait until there's a problem. It's incumbent that we take action."

According to the Jordan Bridge Assessment conducted by the City council, bridge is the oldest operating lift bridge in the state, providing over 10,000 operating lifts a year for more than 21, 500 marine traffic vessels. It currently runs on a six-month inspection schedule and posts at 3 tons, the lowest limit allowed by law.

However, assessment of the bridge clearly showed that its extensive service to the community had caught up with it. The repairs-totaling close to four million dollars, include structural repairs to the approach spans superstructure, repairs to the up haul downhaul cable supports on the towers, and replacement of the lift span roadway deck. The assessment also highlight work that needed to be done to the superstructure members in the center lift span, mechanical electrical components and the fender system, not to mention engineering and project management costs.

The assessment also stated that in 1995 the City funded a $2,222,900 repair project

intended to extend the operational life of the bridge five years which was intended to overlap with the replacement of the Gilmerton Bridge. Now it's eight years past that repair's life.

Any additional repairs, as written in the assessment, just to keep the bridge operational for 1-5 more years would cost an additional $3.58 million dollars. This would include additional structural repairs and mechanical/electrical repairs.

http://www.chesapeake.va.us/services/depart/pub-wrks/pdffiles/2008-08-19-Jordan-Bridge-Presentation.pdf