SD7 - Future Capacity of the Existing Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel
Executive Summary: As requested by Senate Joint Resolution No. 132, passed by the 1989 General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission have conducted a joint study of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel (CBB&T). This study addresses traffic congestion and safety problems, maintenance, capacity of present facility, projected traffic volumes, recommended improvements, and financial alternatives. The annual average daily traffic on the CBB&T exceeds 7,000 vehicles, which includes over 1,200 trucks using this facility every weekday. In the summer months the volume exceeds 10,000 vehicles per day, of which over 50 percent is vacation and recreational traffic. The CBB&T is a "confined facility." For over 19 miles there are no shoulders, passing is limited, and with the high volume of trucks and recreational vehicles, congestion problems often occur. The number of hours that the traffic does not flow at the acceptable standard for this type of facility has doubled since 1985 (275 to 620 hours). As traffic volumes and congestion have increased, so have accidents. Since 1985, there has been a 61 percent increase in accidents, injuries have doubled, and fatalities tripled. Coinciding with the increased accident rate on the CBB&T, the statewide rate on other Virginia two-lane primary routes has decreased. Maintenance needs on the CBB&T are increasing as the facility ages. There were over 2,700 hours of lane closures last year for inspections and maintenance. Due to weather conditions on the Chesapeake Bay, major maintenance activities can only be scheduled during certain months. These months are also when traffic volumes are the highest. This adds to the congestion, as well as presenting safety problems. Traffic must be stopped and alternating northbound and southbound flows implemented because there are no routes that can be used as detours. Traffic on the CBB&T has increased at an annual rate of 3.5 percent since it opened 25 years ago. After reviewing the traffic growth on the CBB&T, the 1980-1989 trend was selected to represent future growth. It is estimated that the annual average daily traffic on the CBB&T will be 10, I00 vehicles by the year 2000. With seasonal variations, the daily traffic is expected to average 13,700 during the late spring, summer, and fall months. Along with this increase in traffic, more hours of congestion and an increase in accidents can be expected. Major maintenance activities will also become more difficult to perform as congestion is extended over a longer period of the day. Based on the findings of this study, the conclusion is that an additional two lanes will be needed on the CBB&T by the year 2000. The cost to provide the two additional lanes for the entire facility, estimated at $1.2 billion, is beyond the financial capabilities of the CBB&T. An analysis of the revenues from tolls and other sources indicates that, with a one dollar average increase in tolls, the two additional lanes can be financed for the trestle and bridge sections. The cost estimated for this improvement is approximately $275 million. It is recommended that two additional lanes on the trestle and bridge sections be provided initially, and that the CBB&T continue to maintain two-way traffic in the tunnels. The two tunnels needed to complete the four-Ianing of the CBB&T will have to be provided in subsequent years. Due to the time needed to perform studies and apply for the needed permits, it is also recommended that work begin immediately on the in-depth traffic, environmental and financial studies, and development of specifications and plans. |
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