Our web team has been working so hard to bring this to you, and it’s finally ready.

Click below for a real-time look at road conditions on Hampton Roads’ highways.

http://www.wavy.com/subindex/traffic/traffic_cams

Also on this page, the latest road hazards and accidents from 511 Virginia and the Virginia Department of Transportation. Bridge lift activity is also updated daily and watch for stories that impact your morning and evening commute. You can also access this page from www.wavy.com. Just click on the “Traffic” tab.

Expect delays traveling to Southside from the Peninsula because of major closures over the next few weekends.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, beginning on Friday, Sept. 14, crews will close multiple lanes at a variety of water crossings. Closures at the Interstate 64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel eastbound lanes and the Route 17 James River Bridge southbound lanes will be in place until Monday, Sept. 17, at 5 a.m.

VDOT says paving work will close those I-64 EB lanes at the HRBT this weekend as well as for the next THREE weekends.

Drivers should use the Interstate 664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternate route. A signed detour will be in place. The following weekends will also have closures:

* Friday, Sept. 14, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 17, at 5 a.m.
· Friday, Sept. 21, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 24, at 5 a.m.

· Friday, Sept. 28, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday Oct. 1, at 5 a.m. (Rain Date)

The Route 17 James River Bridge southbound lanes will close for five consecutive weekends so crews can begin replacing the bridge grid deck. Beginning on Friday, Sept. 14, crews will close all southbound lanes. Upon completion of work on the southbound lanes, crews will close the northbound lanes for four consecutive weekends. Motorists are advised to use the MMMBT as an alternate route. The weekend closure schedule is as follows:

· Friday, Sept. 14, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 17, at 5 a.m.

· Friday, Sept. 21, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 24, at 5 a.m.

· Friday, Sept. 28, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, Oct. 1, at 5 a.m.

· Friday, Oct. 5, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, Oct. 8, at 5 a.m.

· Friday, Oct. 12, beginning at 9 p.m. until Monday, Oct.15, at 5 a.m.

This road work will take place, weather permitting.

If you travel through the Downtown & Midtown Tunnels in the overnight hours, be prepared for some potential delays. VDOT is carrying out road work, what it is calling “unavoidable maintenance activities.”

Midtown Tunnel drivers will see alternating eastbound and westbound closures from Tuesday, June 26 through Thursday, June 28, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. That means one lane will remain open while VDOT crews stop traffic to let the other direction travel through the tube.

The Downtown Tunnel will remain open, with lanes blocked for maintenance in the overnight hours.

I-264 Downtown Tunnel West – Monday, June 25, through Thursday, June 28, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – alternating lane closures
I-264 Downtown Tunnel West – Monday, June 25, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – single, right lane closure
I-264 Downtown Tunnel East – Tuesday, June 26, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – single, right lane closure
I-264 Downtown Tunnel West – Wednesday, June 27, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – single, left lane closure
I-264 Downtown Tunnel East – Thursday, June 28, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – single, left lane closure

If pirates, planes and patriotism are your thing, you have plenty to keep you entertained this weekend. Be aware, we’re hearing about road closures that could affect your plans. Details below.

HAMPTON
BLACKBEARD PIRATE FESTIVAL STREET CLOSURES
The annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival is this weekend, June 1-3! The following streets will be closed for the event: Queensway from Mill Point Park to King Street will close Friday, June 1 at 5 a.m. Eaton Street from Queensway to Mill Point Drive will close Saturday, June 2 at 5 a.m. Both streets will reopen Sunday, June 3 at 9 p.m. For more information, click here.

VIRGINIA BEACH
PATRIOTIC FESTIVAL
Following is the closure schedule for Saturday and Sunday :
Atlantic Ave. from 17th to 5th Street:
*From 9 a.m.-3:30pm – local through traffic only will be allowed on Atlantic Ave. from 17th to 5th Street
*From 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – no vehicular traffic will be allowed on Atlantic Ave from 17th to 5th street
Click here for more information.
Streets will reopen at approximately 7 p.m.
This time is subject to change depending on crowd size.

Look for some major closures this weekend, but the good news is the roadways won’t be shut down the entire time.

Tide gate testing is set for the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Saturday, May 19 from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. The Virginia Department of Transportation tests the tide gates at the I-64 HRBT every six months, generally prior to and just after the hurricane season.

Drivers should expect traffic stops of up to 30 minutes as each gate (I-64 EB & WB) is tested. During this test, the tide gates will be lowered and raised giving crews an opportunity to examine the functionality of the system and the roadway drain valves.

You can use the Monitor Merrimac as an alternate.

VDOT will also close the Interstate 264 Berkley Bridge, westbound only, Sunday, May 20, from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for grid-deck lock bar maintenance. Eastbound traffic is not impacted by the closure.

Detour signs will be in place during the Berkley Bridge closure, or you can take the Route 58 Midtown Tunnel as an alternate.

It is going to be a beautiful weekend to enjoy all your outdoor plans. And there are likely many things on the list–Mother’s Day brunch, graduations, festivals. Jeremy says to expect great weather conditions. You can check out his forecast here.

But be aware, another road work project may get in your way. Gilmerton Bridge along Military Highway in Chesapeake closes at 8 o’clock tonight and will reopen by 5 o’clock Monday. The closure is part of the Gilmerton Bridge Replacement Project, which is expected to wrap up in late 2013.

You can use the I-64 High Rise Bridge or the Downtown Tunnel as alternates. Maritime traffic should not be affected.

Good morning!

The weekend is almost here and VDOT crews are getting ready to get to work.

The High Rise Bridge along I-64 in Chesapeake will be closed in both directions Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Crews will be performing rigging operations on the bridge’s lift span.

Here’s an alternate from VDOT:

You can take I-264 Downtown Tunnel as an alternate route. Look for signs that point the way From I-64 west, drivers should take the Route 17 George Washington Highway exit. Next make a left on George Washington Highway and proceed to Frederick Boulevard. Make a left onto Frederick Boulevard, then take the I-264 east ramp on the right. Proceed on I-264 east, through the Downtown Tunnel. Stay in the right lane and after exiting the tunnel take the I-464 south exit. Follow I-464 south until you reach the I-64 west exit.

From I-64 east take the I- 464 north exit. Follow I-464 north to the I-264 west (Downtown Tunnel) exit. Proceed on I-264 west to the Frederick Boulevard exit. Exit at the bottom of the ramp and stay to the left. Make a left on Route 17 south. Follow Route 17 south to George Washington Highway and make a right. Proceed on George Washington Highway to the I-64 east ramp.

Here’s a cancellation from VDOT:
Previously scheduled work at the I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel for the weekends of Friday, May 4, 2012 and Friday, May 11, 2012 has been CANCELLED. Look for the closures at the H.R.B.T. after the Labor Day holiday, Sept. 2, 2012.

Heads up, weekend travelers!

VDOT has a lot of work to do and closures will take place at two major crossings.
I-664 SB lanes toward Suffolk at the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel will shut down at 8:00 tonight (4/27/12) and will stay closed for re-paving work until 6 a.m. Monday (4/30/12).

The Gilmerton Bridge (along Military Highway in Chesapeake) will close in both directions, also starting at 8:00 tonight and reopening by 5 a.m. Monday.

For your future planning, the HRBT will be closed I-64 EB NEXT weekend, starting at 8 Friday night (5/4/12) and reopening by 5 a.m. Monday (5/7/12).

Here’s a look at your alternates for this weekend’s closures:

MMMBT Weekend of Friday, April 27, until Monday, April 30, 2012

The signed detours for I-664 MMMBT south will be as follows:

· From I-64 east approaching I-664 south (Hampton Coliseum), motorists must stay on I-64 east through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). Follow I-64 east to I-264 west towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 west through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-664 north/Route 58 west (Bower’s Hill).

· From I-664 south approaching MMMBT (27th street), crews will have a multi-lane closure in place to reroute traffic to I-664 north towards I-64 east (Hampton Coliseum) and the HRBT. From the I-664 south closure motorists will take I-664 east to I-264 west towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 west through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-664 north/Route 58 west (Bower’s Hill).

Please note: The Route 17 James River Bridge is also a suggested alternate route. However, Route 17 traffic is expected to be much higher in volume than normal. Traffic signal timings have been adjusted to compensate for the additional traffic. Motorists using local streets may experience a longer than usual delay due to the expected higher traffic volumes and increased timing.

Gilmerton Bridge Closure:

· Motorists are encouraged to use the I-64 High Rise Bridge as an alternate route during this weekend bridge closure. The Downtown Tunnel and the I-264 Berkley Bridge are also alternate routes. Maritime traffic should not be impacted.

HRBT Weekend of Friday, May 4, until Monday, May 7, 2012

The signed detours for I-64 HRBT east will be as follows:

· From I-64 east approaching I-664 south (Hampton Coliseum), motorists must stay on I-664 south through the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT). Follow I-664 south to I-264 east towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 east through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-64 east and I-264 east (Barry Robinson Interchange).

· For motorist staying on I-64 east towards the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, they must exit at Mallory Street then head west on I-64 towards Williamsburg. Follow I-664 south towards the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT) to I-264 east towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 east through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-64 east and I-264 east (Barry Robinson Interchange).

A couple of road work projects planned for this weekend could leave you scrambling for alternates while you’re behind the wheel. Here’s a guide to help you out before you leave the house. And a heads up–over the next few weekends, be prepared for more closures as VDOT crews ready the highways for a busy summer travel season.

The Monitor Merrimac I-664 NB and the High Rise Bridge I-64 EB will close this weekend for paving operations. Also to be closed, the Centerville Turnpike Bridge in Chesapeake.

That means I-664 NB lanes at the Monitor Merrimac will shut down at 8 p.m. Friday, March 30th and reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, April 2.

Both lanes of I-64 EB at the High Rise Bridge (heading toward Suffolk) and one WB lane (heading toward Chesapeake) will close at 7 p.m. Friday, March 30th and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 2.

Lanes will be closed at the Centerville Turnpike Bridge from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Here’s a look at your alternates, which will be marked on highways:

The detour for the I-64 east High Rise Bridge to Hampton/Newport News is as follows:

· Take I-64 west towards the HRBT

The detours for the I-64 east High Rise Bridge to Suffolk and Great Bridge section of Chesapeake are as follows:

· Overheight and heavy load vehicles are recommended to take 17 South to NC 158 West, NC 158 West to NC 32 North, NC 32 North to Suffolk Route 13/58 Bypass, Route 13/58 Bypass to I-64

· From the I-64/264 Interchange at Exit 284, take Exit 284A to I-264 west. Follow I-264 west through the Downtown Tunnel to Bower’s Hill.

· If entering the interstate past the I-64/264 Interchange at Exit 284, take Exit 291A and follow I-464 north to Exit 6A. Follow I-264 west through the Downtown Tunnel to Bower’s Hill.

· From Route 168 continue on I-464 north to Exit 6A. Follow I-264 west through the Downtown Tunnel to Bower’s Hill.

*If you use the Gilmerton Bridge (Military Highway) as an alternate for the High Rise Bridge, the overnight closure that typically begins Sunday evening will push to Monday night so drivers will be able to use it. That means this coming week, the Gilmerton Bridge will close Monday through Thursday 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The detours for I-664 MMMBT north will be as follows:

• From Route 58 east approaching I-664 north (Bowers Hill), motorists must exit onto I-264 east, towards the Downtown Tunnel. Motorists will follow I-264 east to I-64 west, towards the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The detour will end at I-664, Hampton Coliseum.
• From I-664 North approaching College Drive, crews will place an inside lane closure and reroute traffic back on to I-664 south, towards Bowers Hill. From I-664 south motorists will take I-264 East (towards the Downtown Tunnel); to I-64 West (towards the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel); end of detour at I-664 (Hampton Coliseum)

Here’s another upcoming closure you may need to plan for:

**The Gilmerton Bridge closes normally overnight, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

Over the next two months, prepare for the bridge to be closed for the entire weekend.

The Gilmerton Bridge Replacement Project Weekend Closure Plan:

April 13, from 8 p.m. through April 16, at 5 a.m.

April 27, from 8 p.m. through April 30, at 5 a.m.

May 11, from 8 p.m. through May 14, at 5 a.m.

Alternates during the closures of the Gilmerton would be the I-64 High Rise Bridge, the Downtown Tunnel and the I-264 Berkley Bridge are also alternate routes. Maritime traffic should not be impacted.

The Gilmerton Bridge Replacement Project will provide a new lift span bridge over the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and replace the existing double-leaf bascule bridge that was constructed in 1938.

We knew the issue of tolls at the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels would be a hot topic.

Since our series of special reports on the tolls aired early this week, we’ve been inundated with email, Facebook comments and tweets on Twitter. Plenty of people are concerned, upset, and/or apprehensive about the tolls that are expected to stick around for the next five decades.

I learned the very earliest those tolls would be in place is August, although we’ve also heard it will be closer to the end of the year. Regardless, we felt it was important to start preparing drivers now for the possibility of added fees to drive through two of our area’s busy tunnels.

With an off-peak toll starting at $1.59, there’s plenty of anxiety about cost. A rush-hour ride Monday through Friday would cost you $1.84. That toll price is expected to rise over time.

What was shocking to me is how much more it will cost if you don’t have an E-Z Pass transponder. The transponder is a small box you can get online, by phone or through a retail center in Gloucester (another one will open up at some point in Portsmouth). You attach it to your windshield or to your license plate. The toll will be taken electronically from your account. No toll booths, no toll attendant, no stopping at the tunnel. The way to pay is through E-Z Pass, because without it, you will be charged a toll recovery fee, which would be two times the toll rate. So, you’d have to pay $4.77 if you didn’t have an E-Z Pass and drove through the Downtown Tunnel in an off-peak time spot. During rush hour, a ride through the tunnel without an E-Z Pass would be $5.02.

People have been emailing me, asking about relatives who come in from out of town, or those who drive through the tunnel five or six times a year. They want to know if they need to get an E-Z Pass. They don’t have to, of course. But riding through the tunnel without one means they’ll get a bill in the mail for that higher price. High speed cameras will capture your license plate and find your address from that. You’ll have thirty days to appeal the fee or pay up. Either way you will pay and you’ll pay more if you don’t have an E-Z Pass.

The transponder itself is $25, but that fee is waived if you tie your account to a bank account. You’ll have to fund the account, so you’ll pay $35 up front per transponder and your toll will be deducted from that amount. Once the balance falls below $10, another $35 will be pulled from your bank account. Is it worth it to get one if you only travel through a toll a few times a year? That’s up to you to decide. This system works in 14 other states, though, so if you travel, if may save you time and some money in other places.

There are still plenty of topics to cover related to the toll story, so we are not done yet. Let us know what other issues concern you. I can be reached at cheryl.tan@wavy.com

We have plenty of information at www.wavy.com.

Here’s a link to get more information and to sign up for an E-Z Pass Acount:

www.ezpassva.com