Gilmerton Bridge
Gilmerton Bridge was a Twin Bascule Drawbridge now a Vertical-lift bridge which spans the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in the City of Chesapeake in South Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia. Completed in 1938, it carries U.S. Route 13 (US 13 and US 460 and is part of the Military Highway (which was completed during World War II in what was then Norfolk County). The Gilmerton Bridge is operated by the City of Chesapeake.
Replacement project
In 2009, a $150 million replacement project began. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, funds designated for planned work on the nearby Steel Bridge and on Dominion Boulevard (US 17), each also in Chesapeake, are being diverted to the Gilmerton project, which is more urgent. VDOT also has advised that motor vehicle traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the estimated four years the project will take to complete.[1] Completion of the new Gilmerton Bridge is slated for early 2014.
Incident September 2008
On September 9, 2008, a man tried to jump this bridge in a car while it was open as he was running from police. Chesapeake Police reported that the vehicle broke through a railing and landed in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. The man who was wanted on felony charges was arrested and taken to a local hospital treated for minor cuts to his neck and arms.[2]
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Coordinates: 36°46′30.6″N 76°17′43.6″W / 36.775167°N 76.295444°W