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VDOT’s Vital Infrastructure: Movable Bridges

Movable Bridges

Benjamin Harrison Bridge:

Route 156 over James River (#1)

Chincoteague Bridge: Route 175

over Black Narrows Channel (#2)

Berkley Bridge: I-264 over

Elizabeth River (#3)

James River Bridge: Route 17 over

James River - Movable Portion (#5)

Coleman Bridge: Route 17

over York River (#4)

Eltham Bridge: Route 33 over

Pamunkey River (#6)

Gwynn’s Island Bridge:

Route 223 over Milford

Haven (#7)

Type No. Structure Age Route Carried Feature Intersected Condition

Movables

1 Benjamin Harrison 51 Rt. 156 James River Fair

2 Chincoteague 8 Rt. 175 Black Narrows Channel Fair

3 Berkley 64&28 I-264 Elizabeth River Fair

4 Coleman 66 Rt. 17 York River Fair

5 Jame River Bridge 38 Rt. 17 James River Fair

6 Eltham 11 Rt. 33 Pamunkey River Fair

7 Gwynn's Island 80 Rt. 223 Milford Haven Fair

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VDOT’s Vital Infrastructure: Movable Bridges

Movable Bridges

Movable Bridges—Common Elements

Deck

Movable bridges employ very light weight

bridge decks (driving surfaces) in order to

minimize the loading on the machinery and

power systems. These decks must be

scheduled for replacement on a regular

basis, as they become vulnerable to

cracking and localized failure toward the

end of their life spans. Failure of any

portion of a grid deck could lead to serious

safety hazard.

Fender

Fender systems protect the bridge piers

and towers from impacts from barges and

other large vessels. Vessel impact can

cause catastrophic damage, as occurred ion

the Benjamin Harrison Bridge.

Generator

Generators serve as a backup power

source for a movable bridge’s motors.

Electrical System

Electrical systems typically require the

most maintenance and are most

vulnerable to failure. They are comprised

of three primary subsystems: the electrical

power supply system, the control system,

and the drive system.

Fracture Critical Bridge

A fracture critical bridge is a bridge whose

structure provides almost no redundancy

in the event of a failure of a critical

member. All movable bridges included in

VITAL Infrastructure are fracture critical.