Drivers crossing the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge can expect increased delays during bridge openings, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced last week.
VDOT alerted motorists and maritime traffic of the expected delays, which are due to mechanical issues and will require crews to perform additional procedures to open the bridge manually, extending wait times an additional 25 to 40 minutes.
According to Janelle Scott, Hampton Roads District Senior Communications Specialist for VDOT, during normal operations the Coleman Bridge opening process is automated and controlled by the bridge tender from the control house.
Until repairs are completed, all bridge openings now require additional staff to perform certain steps manually, including operating parts of the bridge directly from access points on the structure rather than remotely from the control house, she said.
For each opening, crews are manually adjusting and monitoring components to ensure they move properly to complete each bridge opening and closing process successfully, she explained. Specialized equipment, such as a crane truck, may also be used during openings.
During a typical opening, the aim is to have two additional maintenance staff on the bridge in addition to the bridge tender. However, to complete these manual openings, there are currently up to 12 additional maintenance staff on the bridge in addition to the bridge tender, she said.
A temporary repair plan is underway to help reduce extended opening times until a more extensive long-term solution can be found, but motorists and maritime traffic should expect the extended openings to continue beyond this week.
Procurement is underway for contractor bids to perform the temporary repairs, she said. Work to design a permanent repair and identify funding to implement that repair is also underway, she added.
The United States Coast Guard determines the schedule of the bridge openings and VDOT has requested a two-hour notice while manual openings are taking place.
VDOT has encouraged motorists to plan ahead and recommends utilizing the 511Virginia website and mobile app as well as email and text alerts for advanced notice and real-time bridge opening information.