Construction of Virginia Beach’s new Lesner Bridge continues to create excitement for residents and the thousands of tourists who visited coastal Virginia this summer. The new bridge, designed by FIGG, crosses the Lynnhaven Inlet along the Atlantic Coast, features two 1,575′ long twin precast segmental concrete bridges with typical span lengths of 150′ and a 225′ main span crossing the navigational channel. Through community input, the new bridge design includes precast box girder spans with special features such as recessed lighting within the sweeping contours of each pier, scenic overlooks, and LED necklace lighting along the multi-use pedestrian pathway, creating a signature gateway to the resort city of Virginia Beach. Designed by FIGG, each bridge structure of the new Lesner Bridge will feature two 12 ft. wide travel lanes edged by 8 ft. and 6 ft. wide shoulders. Protected from motorist by concrete barriers, pedestrians and bicyclists can safely cross the waterway while enjoying spectacular views of the Chesapeake Bay using the 10 ft. wide multi-use pathway along each bridge. McLean Contracting Company has erected four of the ten spans for the new westbound bridge. Currently, segments for the main span cantilever are being erected. Each cantilever segment is delivered to and erected by the 420 ft. self-launching overhead gantry, eliminating the need for water-based cranes for segment erection. Properly timed relocation and advancement of the erection girder’s support positions allow the gantry to fully construct each main span cantilever.

Precasting of the 53′-8″ wide box-girder segments began in January 2015 with nearly all of the 168 segments complete for the westbound bridge. Substructure construction is complete for the new westbound bridge including the installation of fifty-five, 4-ft. diameter drilled shafts. Opening of the new westbound bridge to traffic is scheduled for summer 2016. Once traffic has been shifted to the new structure, demolition of the existing Lesner Bridge will begin thus allowing construction of the new eastbound bridge. Project completion is scheduled for fall 2017.