THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604280052
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The second complete section of the new George C. Coleman Memorial Bridge was lifted off its piers at Norfolk International Terminals Saturday and began a trip to Yorktown where it will replace a section of the old bridge.
The Coleman bridge is the largest double swing span in the country.
Sporting light poles and traffic signs, the span was nearly ready to carry traffic as tugboats gently pushed it away from NIT and down the Elizabeth River toward Hampton Roads Harbor.
When it reaches the York River, the 559-foot, 4,054-ton span will be moored until it is set in place during a 12-day shutdown of the old bridge, beginning Saturday.
Although the giant chunk of bridge is the second to make its way to Yorktown, it will be the first piece lifted into place to form the new span.
The first section of the new bridge was moved to Yorktown on April 4. Officials hope to move the third section Wednesday. Three more sections will float to the York River during the shutdown.
All six sections were built at NIT by Tidewater Construction Corp., of Virginia Beach.
Tidewater won a $72.7 million contract to build the bridge in 1993. Other costs will bring the project to $103 million.
The new bridge is scheduled to open May 16. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CINDY CLAYTON
The second of six sections of the new George C. Coleman Memorial
Bridge in Yorktown left Norfolk International Terminals on Saturday.
The bridge, the largest double swing span in the country, will be
shut down for 12 days while the sections are put in place.
KEYWORDS: COLEMAN BRIDGE by CNB