Problems with the HRBT? What should be done? (Norfolk, Hampton: taxes, live in)

[Rita Mordio]

I'm sure many people were affected by the aftermath of the issue last Thursday (7/2) at the HRBT. The Westbound lanes were completely blocked - with police and VDoT routing traffic through the downtown and midtown tunnels and over to the MMMBT and JRB.

However, this routing caused, at one point, a 20+ mile backup at the MMMBT. Why? Everybody and their brother was trying to get out of town for the holiday weekend.

Right now (as I post) I am watching the live feed from a VDoT panel discussing the HRBT and what needs to be done. For those who catch it in time, here is the link to the feed provided by WVEC.

Later on, I will edit this to add a link to the full video that will be provided later on.

So, I pose this question to my fellow Hampton-Roadians: What should be done?

[damian]

HRBT should be widened to 4 lanes each direction, that way the bottlenecks at the tunnels will be minimized. The "third crossing" that is being proposed is not a true crossing but rather connects 664 to 564 over the harbor. It will mainly benefit the ports and trucks that come in and out of the region. They are planning to build a connector from this new tunnel down to 264 so I suppose you could get to DT Norfolk faster from the peninsula by the "third crossing"

[usmcmotort]

I dont know, but I deal with HRBT traffic all the time and it blows! I live in Va beach and work at Fort Eustis, morning traffic is not to bad, but you just gotta watch out for a 564 back up. Afternoon traffic across 64 East through the tunnel is terrible, people slow down to 30 mph while in the tunnels, it's rediculous.

A good way to bypass this traffic is the MMBT; however, overflow traffic from HRBT could cause the MMBT to get jammed up as well.

I think I heard several plans to add an additional Bridge Tunnel between HRBT and MMBT. I honestly have no clue what can be done to alliviate congestion besides adding another bridge tunnel or somehow expanding HRBT.

[bob swanson]

I was out driving when all of this happened and mentioned to my SO that this looks awfully suspicious or contrived. I noticed an unusual vehicle (crane) parked crossways going west on the highrise bridge (I was going east) Then saw the overhead messages that both the HRBT and MM was experiencing many miles of back-up. Our three main arteries out of town backed up at the same time. I personally feel that we were given this situation to emphasize a point. The powers to be have used us as guiney pigs before.

[Spazkat9696]

Live on the same side of the water you work on??

[kairi2]

Originally Posted by bob swanson

I was out driving when all of this happened and mentioned to my SO that this looks awfully suspicious or contrived. I noticed an unusual vehicle (crane) parked crossways going west on the highrise bridge (I was going east) Then saw the overhead messages that both the HRBT and MM was experiencing many miles of back-up. Our three main arteries out of town backed up at the same time. I personally feel that we were given this situation to emphasize a point. The powers to be have used us as guiney pigs before.

bridge-tunnel conspiracy theory eh..

if it inspires some action, then it would be worth it. i, like many others, could not imagine sitting in tunnel traffic 2x a day. thats why i quit my job when i moved to the other side!

[semijr82]

The reason for all the traffic around this area is because of poor planning. The high ways were upgraded for the increased driving population starting from the 664 exit up to the Jefferson exit. Where the roads narrow from 4-5 lanes to 2 lanes is where ALL the congestion starts and traffic begins. The tunnels need to be upgraded or more bridges need to be built to match the traffic demand. It's only going to get worse.

[rtandc]

No matter what is decided it will not be enough to solve the traffic issues this area has......I agree it is only going to get worse

[Nebat]

It's hopeless! Been stuck there many times. The geography of the region will make it hard to add additional roads and highways. I'm one of those "crazy" people that loves mass transit and would think that building some sort of subway system would help, though I know that would cost a lot of money. But building roads and highways costs money and always seem to outlive their usefulness in a short amount of time.

[bob swanson]

Actually I do believe that it is a conspiracy provided for by our great leaders. I am very rarely caught up in traffic and for my age (67) I've seen this before. Nothing like an example of discomfort to nudge a need. Let's face it there are no metropolitan areas that aren't behind on providing up to date highways. Taxes or tolls (which provide the financing) are the key words that politicians don't like to use. It would prevent them from their most important indeavor in life (re-election). Just my thoughts.