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

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).

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

Moving to Hampton Roads almost nine years ago, who knew I would be more baffled by our beltway system here?

I don’t think I am alone, so I’m hoping to clear up some confusion with this post. Plus, we have plenty of new people who call Hampton Roads home now. This is for you.

We’ve been talking about this in the newsroom. It’s a conversation sparked by an email I received from a viewer recently, who questioned why I didn’t use the terms “inner” and “outer” loop of the beltway on the air.

First, here’s a screenshot of a map of the metro Hampton Roads area.

Here’s how the Virginia Department of Transportation describes it: The Hampton Roads Beltway was designated to ease confusion along I-64 south of I-264. Think of the Beltway as one big circle. Just
envision the outside lanes of the circle as the Outer Loop and the inside lanes as the Inner Loop. The Inner Loop follows original I-64 East and I-664 North. The Outer Loop follows I-64 West and I-664 South.
To aid drivers, the Beltway is fully signed and every “reassurance shield” along I-64 and I-664 is accompanied by a Hampton Roads Beltway trailblazer.

In talking with many people here, the confusion comes in when I-64 hits Chesapeake. That’s because I-64 “East” actually runs Westbound at this point, ending at Bowers Hill (where I-664, I-64, and I-264 come together). Around this area you will see signs for the inner or outer loop of the Hampton Roads Beltway. All entrance ramps between Bowers Hill and the east junction of I-264 are signed with control cities that will change according to the location of the exit. For inner (westbound) traffic, Suffolk is the most common control city used, although Norfolk is used at two entrances in Chesapeake to indicate the most direct route to Norfolk (via Interstate 464). For outer (eastbound) traffic, Norfolk, Hampton, and Virginia Beach are used along the way.

Does everyone know that “Inner Loop” means you’re traveling I-64 Westbound (although technically you say I-64 EB) and “Outer Loop” means you’re traveling I-64 Eastbound (and you technically say I-64 WB)?

Now you do.

I may need to get some aspirin.

It might help to think of the Hampton Roads Beltway in terms of the Capital Beltway.

With the Capital Beltway, the two directions of travel, clockwise and counterclockwise, have become known respectively as the “Inner Loop” and the “Outer Loop.”

But in Hampton Roads, we don’t have the NB and SB as they do in the D.C. area.

Here is how I have tried to make it easier to understand.

Instead of going into the Inner/Outer Loop discussion on the air, I use the control cities as my marker. I try to make it simple by focusing on the destination. If there’s an accident affecting travelers heading toward Virginia Beach, that’s what I say, even though, technically I know it’s I-64 Westbound. I usually drop the WB or EB. Thanks to a viewer, I just may add, “Inner loop” of the Hampton Roads Beltway to my update.

And, if you got to the bottom of this post, maybe then you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Have a great weekend!

I know…if only you could.

It may not be possible to cut out of work before quitting time, so be prepared for delays as you head out on the highways. The Virginia Department of Transportation will help as much as possible by removing lane closures and temporary work zones for interstate and roadway projects for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Lane closures will be lifted from noon Friday, July 1, until noon Tuesday, July 5.

This week is traditionally one of the busiest times for summer, so it’s a good idea to have an alternate route in mind before you hit the road. You’ve seen what happens when a tunnel gets stopped for hours for an accident!

In the Hampton Roads area, drivers heading to Virginia Beach or the Outer Banks in North Carolina can use the Interstate 664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to the I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.

If you have kids, this is good to know: VDOT has 41 rest areas along interstates and roadways in Virginia where drivers can take a break from driving, use the bathroom or use the vending machine.

Even minor problems, such as a flat tire, can create traffic issues for thousands of other travelers. To keep travel lanes as clear as possible, VDOT’s Safety Service Patrols will be working the interstates in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia around the clock.

Safety Service Patrol members wear reflective uniforms and drive marked utility trucks equipped with amber lights. Patrols can help drivers when they need:

· A jump start

· One gallon of gasoline

· Water for overheating radiators

· Tire changes

· Access to a telephone for tow services

· Directions and a state map

· Limited first aid until emergency services arrive

Drivers can report stranded vehicles, vehicle crashes, and other roadway issues to Virginia State Police by dialing #77 on a mobile phone.

Drivers also can report unsafe road conditions such as debris, potholes or downed traffic signals to VDOT by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

Virginia’s Move Over law requires drivers to move to the next lane, when possible, when approaching vehicles with flashing blue, red or amber lights stopped on the side of the road.

If you are traveling to Northern Virginia, this is good to know:

NORTHERN VIRGINIA HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) SCHEDULE:

· HOV restrictions on I-66, I-95 and I-395 will be lifted on Monday, July 4. Normal HOV restrictions will be in place on Friday, July 1, and Tuesday, July 5.

· Northbound/southbound schedule for the I-95/395 reversible lanes: Lanes will be southbound from 1 p.m., Friday, July 1, until 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2; and northbound from 4 p.m. Saturday, July 2, through 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 4. On July 4, the lanes will be northbound until 7:30 p.m., and southbound from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Tuesday, July 5. The lanes will re-open northbound by 3 a.m. July 5.

· July 4 event traffic: To accommodate travelers attending Fourth of July events in Washington, D.C., VDOT will coordinate and adjust signal timings at approximately 116 signalized intersections along major arterial roads, including routes 1, 7, 29, 50, 123, 236 and 244, in Virginia. Signals will be timed to help move traffic into the District during the day and then south and west from the city between 9:30 p.m. and midnight.

Travel to the Outer Banks, N.C.: Drivers going to the Outer Banks should use I-664 and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel to save time. From I-664 south, take I-64 west to exit 292, Chesapeake Expressway/I-464/Route 17. Keep left to continue to the Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168), and take Nags Head/Great Bridge exit 291B to the Outer Banks.

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry: The summer ferry schedule is in effect beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The ferry runs 24 hours a day. There is no cost to ride the ferry. Vehicles, including motor homes, are allowed on the ferry. For additional information, call 800-VA-FERRY (800-823-3779).

Remember, you can check out the highways anytime at wavy.com

Be safe and enjoy!

The Downtown Tunnel will close westbound for six consecutive weekends beginning February 18, to allow crews to safely remove over 3000 ceiling panels. I-264 WB at the Downtown Tunnel will close from 7 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. The eastbound tunnel will remain open to drivers.

A steel plate is forcing drivers to slam on brakes, and that is what is causing the delays.

That steel plate in the right lane of the east bound tube will be there for a few more days, and then the plate will be placed in the left travel lane until around September 1.

The plate covers nightly work to repair tunnel in its joint rehabilitation project. The tunnel joint works like a shock absorber in the tube.

“The concrete is a solid structure, and when you get heat and cold the concrete expands and contracts and you have to have a way to contain that, and you have to do it without causing structural damage,” said Mitch Layotn, construction manager for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

You may have noticed overnight that the entire lane has been blocked off I-264 EB. VDOT workers are doing some intensive work in those hours. The lane reopens to traffic right around 5 a.m., but the raised steel plate is still there.

Be patient!!!

The I-264 WB lanes of the Berkley Bridge will be closed April 23-26 and April 30-May 3.
The I-264 EB lanes of the Berkley Bridge will be closed May 14-17 and June 4-7.

The most direct alternates are the Midtown Tunnel, Campostella Bridge and I-464.

VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) has a set schedule now, so that drivers will know ahead of time when they’ll have to put the car in park along I-264.

You see, the Berkley Bridge used to be an on-demand bridge, meaning anytime a sailing vessel came through, the bridge would go up and vehicle traffic would come to a stop.

Now, VDOT is testing a system where the opposite would be true. VDOT calls it “a result of a temporary deviation from the federal regulation governing bridge lifts across the downtown Norfolk harbor. The temporary deviation, issued by the Fifth United States Coast Guard District, allows VDOT to open the Berkley Bridge during scheduled times rather than on-demand.”

So here are the times and new rules: The I-264 Berkley Bridge will open on signal at 9 a.m., 11a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning the week of Monday, Oct. 19. The bridge will not open during these scheduled times when vessels have not signaled and are not waiting for passage. The bridge will continue to remain closed during commute periods, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, except during federal holidays.

There is a catch and here it is: the bridge can open upon request during the restricted hours for a vessel with a draft of at least 18 feet if at least six hours of notification has been given.

The scheduled lifts will go through next March (2010).

Let us know what you think!