Chincoteague Beacon
December 10, 2009
Chincoteague bridge on track for January opening
Officials report significant progress to Town Council
By Greg Merritt • Staff Writer
CHINCOTEAGUE -- The new bridge under construction at Chincoteague is on schedule for a January opening, Thomas A. Rakowski of the Virginia Department of Transportation told the Chincoteague Town Council on Monday night.[]
Despite early delays and adverse weather conditions the past month, American Bridge, the bridge's main contractor, has been making progress, Rakowski stated.
"We are on line to open the bridge to traffic in mid to late January," said Rakowski. "The contractor has made significant progress toward that goal."
Rakowski told the council the current one-way entrance to Chincoteague because of the bridge construction would remain in effect for 30 to 45 days.
"The main line deck is ready for grooving," said Rakowski. He said the draw span is now working on "temporary power" and full power should be ready soon.
Construction on the exterior of the control building is almost complete, awaiting an anti-graffiti sealant.
A few on council and some in the audience expressed concern over the bridge spur that connects Marsh Island with the main bridge. Rakowski said there are no plans to put a traffic light on the entrance to the spur. He said there would be some lights at the entrance for better visibility at night.
Once the main bridge is open, the contractor will turn his attention to the Wire Narrows bridge, which would be demolished after the new main bridge opens. People living on Marsh Island would have to use the old "draw" bridge until the spur was complete.
Rakowski said it would take about five months to complete work on the spur road to Marsh Island.
In other council news:
A few island residents spoke to council during the public comment period about the flooding that occurred on the island during the past months.
Joe Justice, who owns Uncle Joe's Cabins on Chicken City Road, said he has been flooded out four times in the past four months.
Michelle Martis, who lives on Ridge Road, said her home had been flooded and she has lost everything on the first floor of the home. She said she has insurance, but FEMA has not responded to help her. She now lives on the second floor of the home and said she has to destroy the first floor.
The council directed Town Manager Robert Ritter to help Matis with her paperwork with the federal program.
The council held a public hearing on a wind energy ordinance. After a brief description of the ordinance by Councilman John N. Jester, council referred the ordinance to the Planning Commission for review.
Dan Whealton appeared before the council during the public comment period and requested that the Chincoteague Causeway bridge names not be changed. The causeway is named after Capt. John B. Whealton and the bridges are named for the body of water they cross.
Willie Moore had appeared at the November council meeting and requested the new bridge be named after his late father, William Lee Moore.
Police Chief Edward Lewis reported that from Jan. 1 to Dec. 2 his department had 24,732 calls, including 2,005 calls for 9-1-1 assistance. There have been 3,516 calls for service and 201 arrests. During the period the department has issued 836 traffic summons.
"The crime rate is down a little bit," said Chief Lewis. Drug arrest were also down.
Town manager Ritter reported that his office received 26 applications for the town planner position. Of those, five have made it through to the interview process.
Ritter reported real estate taxes were down slightly. Most town revenue sources were reported down a slight amount.
Accomack County Supervisor Donald Hart was presented a Certificate of Special Recognition by Chincoteague Mayor Jack Tarr. It was the town's way of expressing its appreciation for Hart's service as chairman of the Virginia Association of Counties.
Hart was accompanied to the meeting by Chincoteague Supervisor Wanda Thornton, who introduced Hart to the council.
The council voted unanimously for authorizing the town as a local disaster on Nov. 13.
The council voted unanimously to accept a bid from Stattech Communications for a video monitoring system at the Curtis Merritt Harbor. The system costs $10,378.
The council agreed to act on an application to change the zoning from R-1 to R-2 on a piece of property owned by Phillip P. Ettinger on North Main Street, near the entrance to Oyster Bay II, until next month. The council has to refer the matter to the Planning Commission and since the Planning Commission does not meet this month, the council will send the application at next month's meeting.
Bob Behr appeared before the council in support of an Arts and Cultural District for the island. No final decision was made on the proposal, but there was discussion about making the district smaller.
The council concluded the meeting by going into executive session with Town Attorney Jon Poulson to discuss "legal matters" and "personnel matters."
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This article is redistributed by permission of the Chincoteague Beacon.
