Public Works Department - Bridges & Structures

Jordan Bridge &
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
Jordan Bridge Closure
Jordan Bridge Facts, Photos & Resources

Past Events & Meetings

South Norfolk Jordan Bridge Update from Figg Bridge Developers
(February 26, 2010)
Coast Guard APPROVES Permit for new South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
(December 11, 2009)
- The Coast Guard has signed and approved the permit for Figg Bridge Developers to build the new South Norfolk Jordan Bridge.
  
  Details at the Coast Guard website. »
Transportation Event at the Elizabeth River Park
(October 28, 2009)
- Virginia Secretary of Transportation Homer Pierce was the keynote speaker at the Elizabeth River Transportation Improvement event, held on Wednesday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth River Park. The event addressed the following projects: Gilmerton Bridge, South Norfolk Jordan Bridge, and the Downtown/Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension project. For further information click on the program below.
- Meeting Program
- VDOT Article and Pictures
Virginia Marine Resoures Commission (VMRC) Meeting on South Norfolk Jordan Bridge
(August 25, 2009)

South Norfolk Jordan Bridge

To review letters of support sent to the U.S. Coast Guard during the public comment period, which ended July 6, 2009, please click on the links below:

Letters of Support

City of Chesapeake - Mayor Krasnoff
City of Chesapeake - City Manager William E. Harrell
City of Newport News
City of Norfolk
City of Portsmouth
City of Suffolk
City of Virginia Beach
City of Williamsburg
County of Gloucester
County of Isle of Wight
York County

Hampton Roads Partnership
Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization
Virginia Beach Vision
Northern Virignia Transportation Alliance
Tidewater Bike Association

Letters of No Objection

United States Navy
Environmental Protection Agency

Public Notice

U.S. Coast Guard Public Notice - 5-1147 3.5 MB »
Public Comment period ended on Monday, July 6, 2009

Proposal

South Norfolk Jordan Bridge - a private proposal by FIGG Bridge Developers 1.6 MB »

BRIDGE CLOSED

Saturday, November 8, 2008

City Council approves plans for new bridge.

On Tuesday, January 27, 2009, City Council unanimously approved plans submitted by private sector business Figg Bridge Developers for a new Jordan Bridge. The new bridge will be a two-lane toll facility.

See PowerPoint Slideshow with information about the new bridge proposals.

Powerpoint slideshow - 3.3MB - optimized for web view

Powerpoint slideshow - 6.5MB

TIP: Use "spacebar" for next slide, and ESC to exit

South Norfolk Bridge Updates

Staff Update to City Council 6/11/09

Where is the Jordan Bridge and who used it?

(300 dpi format of photo)

The Jordan Bridge, located at Poindexter Street in South Norfolk west of I-464, crosses the southern branch of the Elizabeth River. It was the oldest operating lift bridge in the state of Virginia.

Built in 1928, approximately 7,000 vehicles consisting of military personnel, small commercial vehicles, and commuters utilized the bridge daily. More than 10,000 lifts a year occurred for over 21,500 marine traffic vessels.

Jordan Bridge Chronology

Why did the Jordan Bridge close?

The 80 year old bridge had reached the end of its useful service life. In 1995, City Council spent $2.2 million for major repairs to the bridge to extend its life by five years. The weight restriction was also lowered from four tons to three tons to prevent excess wear and tear on the bridge in the hope of extending the life of the bridge and to ensure safety to citizens.

In March of this year the annual inspection was conducted and report findings indicated the need for repairs would total over $4 million. (A replacement bridge would cost $200 - $500 million.)

Public Works and the City Manager determined the bridge would continue to be a safety concern and, due to the city wide transportation needs, a recommendation was made to decommission the bridge.

On October 14th, City Council passed a resolution to close the bridge on Saturday, November 8, 2008.

Why is this project important to our region?

Private-Public partnerships and the utilization of tolls have been part of our region's transportation plans for decades. Given current economic realities, the only major projects that are close to actually being built are bridges and tunnels that involve private funding and tolls. The City of Chesapeake currently does not have funding for a new South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. In these types of situations, working with a private company is a way to accomplish our goals of re-opening a major artery to link Chesapeake and the City of Portsmouth without utilizing tax payer money.

What are the main points of the new bridge project?

FIGG Bridge Developers have been designing and building bridges for 30 years. They have built bridges in 38 states and 4 countries winning over 300 bridge awards.
Uses no public funds - 100% private ownership.
Provides unrestricted water and highway access - no bridge lifts - at a river clearance height that is greater than four of five existing bridges and a wider river clearance than four of five existing bridges.
Restores fire and police access to South Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Restores a critical surface transportation link in our regional network.
Trucks and heavy equipment destined for the Norfolk Navy Ship Yard and Portsmouth will be able to access a much shorter route.
Free for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Uses all electronic tolling.

Why is it important to submit support of the bridge project by a written letter or completing the City of Chesapeake survey?

Once the comment period has ended, July 6 for Jordan Bridge comments, the Coast Guard reviews all comments and makes a decision as to weather to approve or reject a permit to construct the bridge. Notification is given to FIGG Bridge Developers, the permit requester for the project. If significant changes are deemed necessary by the Coast Guard, it is then FIGG's decision if the project is economically feasible to continue.

Where are we now?

The City of Chesapeake is currently awaiting positive news from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the permit. (The Public Comment period closed on July 6, 2009.) The issuance of a permit will allow the project to advance to construction. In the meantime, the City will be attending the following meeting to continue to impress upon groups the importance of this project to the region.