Inside the Bridge Tender House
Go inside the bridge tender house and see how a moveable bridge is opened! Gail Majette, Bridge Tender, will walk you through the process.

Public Works Department

Bridges and Structures Division

Bridges and Structures division maintains 90 bridges and overpasses, and five movable span (draw) bridges. These bridges open an estimated 30,000 times a year for water vessels.

 

 

City Bridges Map - 195 kb pdf
with weight restrictions

 

Drawbridges in Chesapeake:

Click on bridge name below for information on weight restrictions, heights and schedule of opening.

• I-64 High Rise Bridge
• Centerville Bridge
• Deep Creek Bridge
• Jordan Bridge
• Gilmerton Bridge
• Great Bridge Bridge
• North Landing Bridge
• Steel Bridge
  

  "A GUIDE to DRAW BRIDGES"
    Brochure - pdf file - 3.97mb

Update on Bridges: City Council Work Session August 14, 2007
To provide City Council with information on the current status of bridges that are operated and maintained by Public Works

Frequently Asked Questions About Bridges

What is the average length of a bridge opening?

There are many variables that effect the exact time for a bridge closure; however, most do not exceed 10 minutes.

Why does the bridge sometimes open during restricted rush hour periods?

For security reasons, it is required that our bridge tenders (the Public Works employee who controls the bridge opening) allow vessels transporting hazardous materials to transit the waterway at any time without any reservations. These vessels are more commonly known as "red flag" vessels. The same policy also applies to Coast Guard, police, or any boat that has declared an emergency.

For lift times, please consult the bridge brochure.

Please note that a restricted period of 7:00 am - 9:00 am means that the last opening for a waterway user may occur at 7:00 am (and run from 7:00 am until all vessels waiting at the bridge have passed), but the next bridge opening will not begin until 9:00 am (unless there is a commercial vessel with a two-hour advanced reservation). The City makes every effort to keep lifts within the designated lift times.

Bridge lifts for commercial vessels with two-hour advanced reservations during restricted rush hour periods are normally communicated to metro traffic radio and other media outlets.

Why do pleasure craft sometimes pass during restricted rush hour periods?

If a pleasure craft is present at the bridge awaiting an opening when a commercial vessel with a two-hour advance reservation passes, the pleasure craft is permitted to transit also.

Can you tell citizens when the bridge will be open longer than usual?

Yes. When we are notified of a vessel that will take longer than the normal amount of time to travel through the passageway, the Bridge Administrator notifies the Public Works Public Information Specialist at which time a travel advisory is issued. Travel advisories are emailed to various media sources including the Virginian Pilot, local television stations, etc. The information is also posted on the City of Chesapeake website. If the event will occur during rush hour, we notify Metro Traffic who communicates the information over various radio stations.

Can't the City just change the hours for lifts?

Bridge openings are Federal regulations and are enforced by the Coast Guard. The City may request a change to a bridge opening schedule, but it is the Coast Guard that must approve any changes.

What bridges does the City of Chesapeake own and operate?

The City owns and operates the following bridges:

• Gilmerton Bridge located on Military Highway over the Elizabeth River
• Steel Bridge located on Route 17 (Dominion Blvd.) over the Elizabeth River
• Great Bridge Bridge located on Battlefield Blvd. over the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal
• Centerville Bridge located on Centerville Turnpike over the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal

Who owns and operates the other movable bridges in the City?

VDOT operates the high rise bridge carrying I-64 over the Elizabeth River, and the Army Corps of Engineers operates the Deep Creek Bridge (Cedar Road over the Dismal Swamp Canal) and the North Landing Bridge (Mount Pleasant Road over the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal).

Is there a time of year that the openings are heavier than others?

YES! Our area has what we call the "snow bird" seasons. These last from approximately late April to the end of May with boats heading north for the summer and from late October to the end of November with boats heading south for the winter. Many pleasure craft (non-commercial) vessels travel back during these periods. Bridge lifts with more than 20 vessels passing through at one time are not uncommon.

How can boaters be aware of changes while traveling on the waterway?

All boaters are asked to keep their radios tuned to Channel 13 in order to communicate with bridge tenders.