Ship Navigation Simulation Study, Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River,Gilmerton and Interstate 64 Bridges, Norfolk, Virginia

摘要

The Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River is located in Norfolk, Portsmouth, andChesapeake, VA. The existing l25-ft-span Gilmerton Bridges are positioned in the Southern Branch just south of an approximately 90-degree bend in the river. Therefore, inbound (southbound) vessels have very little room to line up with the bridges' fender system. Outbound ships have to turn to port immediately after passing through the bridge span or risk hitting a ship docked at a facility immediately north of the bridges. The navigation study was conducted using the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station Hydraulic Laboratory's ship/tow simulator facility. The objectives of the study were to (a) Evaluate the effects of extending the 40-ft-channel depth improvement to the Newton Creek Turning Basin. (b) Evaluate the 40-ft-channel deepening plan with widening as recommended by the 1989 study, and evaluate the effects of two proposed dock facilities on this channel plan. Each of these facilities will require removal of a channel marker. (c) Evaluate modifications of the Milldam Creek Turning Basin, with consideration to reducing impacts on wetlands and real estate requirements. (d) Evaluate navigation conditions for both ship and barge traffic through the existing 125-ft-wide Gilmerton Bridges and recommend a bridge span width for future construction. (e) Evaluate navigation conditions for barge traffic only through the existing 1 25-ft-wide 1-64 Bridge and recommend a bridge span width for future construction. (MM).