NORFOLK Work onthe Berkley Bridge in Norfolk will mean delays for drivers andlarge ships and boats plying the Elizabeth River for several weekends, beginning this weekend.
VDOT says the Berkley Bridge Grid Deck Replacement Project will replace four concrete-filled sections, so workcrews will need access to the work site and for the concrete to set after the work is complete.
McLean Contracting Company was awarded the $1.3 million contract , VDOT stated.
Thework will be done on four separate weekends fromat 8:00 p.m. on Fridays until 5:00 a.m. on Mondays on the following dates: April 23-26; April 30-May 3; May 14-17;June 4-7.
The first two weekends will impact I-264 Westbound drivers; the last two weekends will affect eastbound drivers.
The Midtown Tunnel is the alternate route for drivers.
Ferry and bus service is being expandedto addresspeak demand on Saturday and Sunday while bridge repairs are underway.
Additional bus service hours will also be provided on Route 300 the Portsmouth Loop. Currently, Route 300 runs Monday through Saturday. Service will be expanded during peak hours and Sunday service will be provided from April 24, through June 6.
On the weekends of April 23 and April 30 the Berkley Bridge west bound will close. People traveling to downtown Portsmouth from Norfolk can use the Waterside Garage and pick-up the ferry behind Waterside.
On the weekends of May 14 and June 4 the Berkley Bridge east bound will close. People commuting into downtown Norfolk can park at the Park and Sail lot at Court and Bart Streets in Portsmouth and use the Route 300 (Portsmouth Loop bus) to reach the ferry.
The waterway will still allow for the passage of vessels less than 48-feet tall.
'Doing the repairs during the weekend will avoid negative impacts on the weekday rush-hours,' said Terrence Knowles of the USCoast Guard 5th District bridge branch. 'We're also avoiding impacts on mariners because the majority of commercial marine traffic on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River operate during the week, not the weekend.'
Vessels can get emergency openings during the time if the bridge operator gets two hours advance notice, the Coast Guard added.