Monday, July 9, 2018

Newport News Now 7-9-18

MONDAY. JULY 9. 2018
Second Phase of Construction for Warwick Boulevard Over Lake Maury Bridge Begins July 12
Construction of the first phase of Warwick Boulevard over Lake Maury Bridge Replacement is almost complete. Commuters can expect the traffic pattern to shift to the newly constructed portion of the bridge on July 12 to begin the second phase of construction. The number of northbound and southbound lanes will remain the same as they will shift to the west allowing the second phase of bridge demolition work to begin and construction of the east portion of the bridge to be completed. During construction, the roadway will be modified to provide two lanes of northbound traffic and one lane of southbound traffic with a work zone speed limit of 35 mph both northbound and southbound.  

The project is anticipated to be complete in early 2019. For more information, visit the City of Newport News’ online Project Status Report or contact Project Manager Carolyn Bowman at 926-3667 or cbowman@nnva.gov.

Sister Cities is Looking for Weekend Hosts Chinese College Students
For the fifth year, Sister Cities Newport News and CNU will welcome 20 students and faculty from China’s University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC) to attend a two-week summer program at CNU. To enhance their U.S. experience, Sister Cities is seeking community members to host a student or two over the weekend of July 27-29. 

Delegate pick-up is on Friday afternoon (between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.) at CNU with a return to campus on Sunday after 6 pm. Host families do not have to be Newport News residents. Hosts are not expected to “entertain” the students; the goal of a “homestay” is to introduce those from a different culture to typical, American, daily life. Going to the grocery store, running errands, taking kids to events, attending a house of worship, reading a book on the back deck…hosts are encouraged to follow their normal routines.

If you have questions or would like to host, 757-926-1348 or email: info@sistercities-nn.com.

Statement Regarding Newport News’ 
Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Application
Newport News City Manager Cindy Rohlf and Redevelopment and Housing Authority Executive Director Karen Wilds have released the following joint statement regarding Newport News’ Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant application.

“We received notification from HUD that our application for $30 million in grant funds to transform the Marshall-Ridley neighborhood was not selected for funding. We are disappointed with this decision, and we intend to apply again in September for the next round of grant funds. We will soon be meeting with HUD officials for a debrief and to gain a better understanding of how we can strengthen our application. 

“We are deeply thankful to everyone who worked so very hard on this application with us, including our citizens in and around the Marshall-Ridley neighborhood as well as many nonprofit and business partners. It is an honor to have been named a finalist for the funding out of 20 applications submitted from across the country, competing in the final round with some localities that are much larger than Newport News such as Baltimore, Tulsa and Phoenix.”