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.

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.

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.