The $115 million dollar Lesner Bridge expansion, visible from Point Chesapeake, now features LED lights on the columns and outward facing road barriers of the bridge. The bridge includes 10-foot wide paths for pedestrians or bikes. The light feature was designed by Randy Burkett, who has lit other structures across the country. The light colors will change on various holidays. Read More
Just a few yards away from Point Chesapeake where the bay meets the inlet is a beautiful new sculpture created by nationally renowned artist, Donald Lipski. The Canoes is a gift to the city of Virginia Beach funded by private donations raised from the community by the Public Art Virginia Beach Foundation. One of the many sponsors is The Terry Companies Five, builders of Point Chesapeake on The Bay. The 36-foot sculpture overlooks the new Lesner Bridge and is a welcoming gateway to the bayfront area for residents and visitors alike.
Each of the ten real aluminum canoes set in a sunburst pattern has a filigree design cut, reminiscent of the decorative arts of the early settlers to the area. Lipski wanted to tie the surrounding waterways to this most basic historic watercraft.
In August, the new 10-foot wide multi-use path and overlook located underneath the sculpture opened for pedestrians as cyclists as work continues to complete the bridge expansion. Soon, there will be another 10-foot wide path on the Point Chesapeake side of the bridge.
Read more about The Canoes on www.vbpublicart.org. On the City of Virginia Beach’s website, you can also watch the sculpture dedication video and follow the bridge expansion updates.
Concrete pieces of the old Lesner Bridge are being submerged 18 miles away in the Chesapeake Bay to expand an artificial reef off the Eastern Shore. While the artificial reefs do not replace natural reefs, they are a tool to encourage fish habitats and give anglers better fishing options. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has had the artificial reef program for 40 years. As their budget shrinks, the program relies more on donations. McLean Contracting is hiring crews to move the concrete to the reef as VMRC monitors the process. Read More on PilotOnline
Construction is coming along nicely and we are very excited to see this new this new community taking shape. This view from the new Lesner Bridge of Point Chesapeake in April of 2017 shows the expanse and beauty of the bay.
The Lesner Bridge Facing East toward Point Chesapeake
View of The Lesner Bridge from Point Chesapeake
One of Virginia Beach’s signature gateways is coming down this week. The John A. Lesner bridge is an expansion of Shore Drive that crosses the Lynnhaven Inlet at the intersection of the Chesapeake Bay and Lynnhaven River. Beginning the week of March 5th, 2017, the old John A. Lesner Bridge will begin to be taken down by the same company that built the original bridge in the 1950’s, using some of the same cranes that constructed the bridge under the supervision on McLean Contracting. The new bridge will have two 1,575-foot spans with two traffic lanes each way and a multi-use path on each side. The renovation will improve traffic flow for Shore Drive residents and visitors and allow for safer walking, jogging and cycling along the bridge.
The original bridge was named for the late state Senator, John A. Lesner from Norfolk. The Lesner Bridge replaced an original drawbridge, built in 1928. Once the old bridge has been removed, the girders at the base of the bridge will be sent to Virginia Tech for testing. The school will determine how much weight the girders supported in its deteriorated state. This study will help with many other bridges built around the same time period in the Hampton Roads area.
Read More in the Virginian Pilot
View Historical Photos of The Lesner Bridge (1930-1950)
Read More About the Lesner Bridge Replacement at City of Virginia Beach’s website.
Point Chesapeake is really coming along, as is the progress on the adjacent Lesner Bridge. The Lesner Bridge project is a $116 million project that began in June 2014. The westbound span is scheduled to open today and this is excellent news!
Construction is well underway on the first two buildings and gazebo at Point Chesapeake. If you want to experience the journey with us, be sure to visit our website for our construction updates to follow this unique project. Point Chesapeake is truly going to be a one of a kind community. Please visit our home page to sign up for our VIP list.
Read today’s article at Pilotonline.com about the bridge opening.
