Restoration efforts have significantly renewed Beach Garden Park in Virginia Beach, VA securing TMG’s first project under the City of Virginia Beach’s Job Order Contract (JOC).
This project had a tight schedule, with construction confined to the off-season. The purpose was to avoid disruption to the heavy pedestrian traffic as the bridge serves a primary access route to the beach. Meeting this compressed timeline required proactive scheduling and careful planning.
The scope of work involved removal and replacement of the bridge’s decking and handrails on a heavily traveled pedestrian crossing area that provides direct access to the beachfront. Prolonged exposure to the harsh coastal environment caused the original decking to deteriorate which created safety concerns for thousands of residents and visitors who use the bridge each season. To improve corrosion resistance and long-term durability, all hardware was upgraded to galvanized and stainless steel to enhance performance with coastal conditions.
Once work progressed, the team discovered additional underlying issues. Many of the existing joists were found to be uneven and deteriorated, requiring selective replacement to provide a stable substructure. To improve safety and eliminate trip hazards, deck boards were carefully planed to reduce lippage and create a more even walking surface within acceptable tolerances.
Conventional access methods were not feasible since the bridge spans across protected marshland. DEQ regulations prohibited any debris or materials from entering the marsh below, which required an innovative approach. TMG resolved this by designing and building custom floating docks that provided safe, compliant access while protecting the sensitive wetland environment at the same time. In addition, the crews also had to work around changing tide levels and carefully plan daily operations to determine which sections of the bridge could be safely accessed. TMG ultimately finished ahead of schedule while ensuring no impact was made to the surrounding marsh wildlife.
The result is a bridge that’s not only significantly safer, but now fully ADA compliant — a highly visible improvement that drew excitement from the local community throughout construction. This project became a reflection of the trust and dedication to excellence TMG aims to achieve with every job.
