The bridge lies approximately three miles from the southern terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

The first bridge in the same location, a draw-bridge, had been constructed in 1928,[1] replaced in 1958 by what are now the eastbound lanes of a dual span.

[2] Stephen Mansfield wrote in the book "Princess Anne County and Virginia Beach, A Pictorial History," (page 151) that the General Assembly voted to name the bridge after State Senator John A. Lesner in recognition for his service on the State Highway Commission.

In 2014 the City of Virginia Beach began a project to replace the Lesner Bridge with expanded spans that each have two travel lanes and a 10 feet (3.0 m) wide multi-use path.

Construction on the new westbound span started in June 2014, and was opened to traffic in November 2016.