SD20 - Transportation Study of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in the Cities of Hampton Roads
Executive Summary: As requested by Senate Joint Resolution 132 passed by the 1992 General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has conducted a study on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the I-64 corridor from I-664 in the city of Hampton to I-564 in the city of Norfolk. The study identifies the traffic safety and traffic congestion problems associated with the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel after the opening of I-664 and outlines programmed improvements, and short- and long-range solutions to solve these problems. I-64 Corridor The I-64 Corridor, which includes the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, is a vital transportation link for the localities of Hampton Roads. This corridor serves large commercial, industrial, and employment centers. It also carries heavy volumes of trucks in and out of the port of Hampton Roads, as well as tourist traffic destined to the Virginia Beach resort area. Because of the heavy travel demand, I-64 still often operates at a very congested condition even with the opening of I-664. I-664 To increase the vehicular capacity across Hampton Roads, the Virginia Department of Transportation opened I-664 (Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel) on April 30, 1992. While I-664 has provided some reduction on the I-64 crossing, an analysis of the traffic data from May through August for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel reveals that, on an average, less than 6,000 vehicles per day have been removed by I-664. Therefore, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel still sustained congestion through the summer of 1992. Proposed Actions The Commonwealth Transportation Board has provided funding in its Six-Year Improvement Program for several projects to aid in traffic flows through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. These projects amount to $25,237,000. The Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Act of 1991 includes special federal funding to study the I-64 Hampton Roads Crossing. This $6,887,000 comprehensive study will begin in 1993 and investigate the purpose and need, modal choice, method of improvement, environmental impacts and location of a third crossing of Hampton Roads. After all the projects in the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program have been constructed, additional improvements will be needed on I-64 to serve the short- and long-term travel demand. This study of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel recommends the following improvements: Short-Range Improvements Add a full-width (12') right shoulder to the west bound bridges: $9,400,000 Complete the traffic management system between I-564 and 4th View Street: $1,700,000 Long-Range Improvements Eight lanes on I-64 from I-664 to I-564 (this includes eight lanes on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel): $1,210,000,000 |
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