Crashes cause traffic nightmares at HRBT, Monitor-Merrimac

I'm another co-worker of the young lady's mother that passed on and an Army Retiree; after attending her memorial and reading some of these comments, I felt obligated to remind you all the fact that these roads belong too only one individual; GOD. If you want anything fixed, ask the right person! Stop being so ungrateful, inconsiderate, and hateful. Why do it take breath-taking events like 911 or deaths for Americans to come together; we have the best country in the world and people are dying just to get here, but for what? To endure personal encounters as these, I wonder why us soldiers bother to protect people like you all that make these statements. Just get a grip and be Americans, have some class and dignity about yourselves. Everyday is one more chance to get your life right; take advantage of it; get right!

KM

My condolences to the friends and family of the soldier who died on the foggy roads yesterday. No one ever wakes up and thinks they are going to die going to work. I am sorry for the lack of consideration displayed by some people who have left messages.

I think we should just do the gas tax. I mean, you can find penneis at 7 11 when you fill up and go in to pay. It is not a huge problem. For me, a huge problem is the group that is trying to resurrect the illegal Regional Transportation Authority. If ever there was a waste of money and sneaky politicking, it is that. Hurray for northern VA for stopping that illegality in its tracks. For western VA that suffers so much from unemployment, I would say give them vouchers for the gas tax. For the rest of us, a few extra cents on the galloon is much preferable to the tolls they were talking about--5.00 in total or more-- to go to work and back and I am sick of the talk of other taxes. Just do the gas tax. Geez.

And---btw---are you all aware that there has been a effort to mortgage the roadways in south hampton roads to foreign investors, countries? Do you realize what that means if in this rather deprived economy we don't make our

And this area wants a Major League team,

Yeah right, I don't go to the other side of the water for any thing, unless I am going to Williamsburg.

Well untill the "citys" get together and solve this problem, tide water is where I will stay.

oh and by the way she had been working late hours til 9 pm and was headed to work very early every day for the last few weeks..The officials say that she fell asleep at the wheel. For any of ya'll that care out there..She was not talking on a cell or whatever you said, Banyas..

Her name was Chasity..She was 20 years old..she has a beautiful daughter that just turned 1.She LOVED Being a soldier. The reason why i know this, is because I am her battle buddy, her friend..this is my boyfriend's id that i am using, cause yesterday when i read these heartless comments on here, i was too upset to comment. She walked into a room and the room lit up. She had a smile that could make anyone's day better.She was an amazing mother, twin, and daughter..Everyone she met instantly loved her.. I guess Chesschamp has never lost anyone that he/she loved. I loved this girl dearly.She was not only a coworker, but she was a friend. Her daughter will only know through loved ones how great her mom was and how much she loved her baby. I hope that the selfish people who were "late" for work never have to get that phone call that you have lost someone that means a lot to you..You will never see them smile again, they will never walk into a room again..She is only a memory now..Today I sat in her chair and and it felt like any moment she was going to walk in and tell me to get out of her chair, jokinly, and call me her lil country girl..Noone can ever replace her, and she will be mis

It's not as easy as you might think. I work in Virginia Beach at the Mt Trashmore area. I've been with the same company for 9 years and I don't exactly want to find another job at my age.
I live in Hampton and commute to Virginia Beach. I was living in Norfolk until a year and 5 months ago when my partner proposed and ask my son and I to move in. I continue to work in Virginia Beach because I don't want to start over at a new job without vested retirement just because it's more convenient to live and work on the same side of the Hampton Roads. And we put an addition put on the house and now it is just the way we want it so why would I sell it? Besides my partner works in Williamsburg.
So it's not as easy as you think.

A little over a year ago, when I last drove to Norfolk, my home town, for my sister-in-law's funeral. I reached Williamsburg about noon. There were no accidents or broken down vehicles. The weather was bright and sunny. Yet the trip on that two lane stretch of I 64 east from Williamsburg to the tunnel took more than 4 hours.

The whole highway, bridge and tunnel complex in the Tidewater area is in critical need of a total make over.

Are we willing to accept a modest gasoline tax increase, say a nickel a gallon, to make it happen? If not, accept the status quo and don't complain.

You are correct, I will never understand why someone would actually want to live on one side of the water and choose to work on the other side of the water, it just is not worth it. There are nice places to live and work both on the southside and the peninsula. Luckily I live and work on the southside so I do not have to deal with the bridges. I actually chose my house based on my work location so I do not even have to get on the highway! Go figure. I say put tolls on the HRBT, maybe people will smarten up

I've read most of the posts about this article. First off, shame on those that have no respect for the departed. I bet if it were you, you wouldn't want someone trashing you for any reason when you're gone and you didn't even KNOW her!!! Now, having said that...someone suggested that those that work on the Peninsula should live on the Peninsula, etc., etc. Well maybe the reason that they don't work where they live is because the HIGHER paying jobs are on the OTHER side. I live in Hampton and work in Portsmouth. I was nickled and dimed to death (at the job for 4.5 yrs. and the equivilant of $1.35 total in raises and my work performance had NOTHING to do with it because I got great reviews). The cost of living isn't as high in Hampton as it is over here. There are also more businesses on "this side" of the water than there are in Hampton. I don't know why though. Is it because Hampton doesn't WANT these businesses here?? Are the rules too stringent here?? What's the deal? Businesses even SKIP Hampton to go to Newport News! I can't find a decent gym on this side to go to so I have to go to Norfolk to get to one. Concidentally, I drove past (West bound) that very accident

As a former resident of Da Beach I cannot understand the lack of respect being exhibited on this site. I work with this young ladies Mother daily here in Michigan. You all need to think about the comments you post. But for the Grace of God that could have been anyone of you, or me while stationed in Hampton Roads or anywhere else in the world. Just think and remember to cherish the time you have with your loved ones because you just never know when something like this can happen in your life. Your prayers are appreciated I am sure for all those that have an understanding of God. For those that don't have anything supportive to say just don't comment.

The reason for tunnels here is for national security. A bridge can be blown up and block ship traffic causing the whole fleet to lose access to the ocean in order to protect our nation.

It's not that we have tunnels because we can't build high bridges. We have tunnels to keep the channels open in the event of an emergency. The amount of ships in RI compared to here is nowhere near the same.

Submitted by marks57720 on Fri, 04/25/2008 at 11:17 am.
Build a bridge the size of one in Newport Rhode Island so that there is no need for a tunnel or lifting portion of the bridge. The idiots get into the tunnels and they freeze up and slow everything down. The Newport Bridge was built to allow aircraft carriers to go underneath it...learn from the New Englanders!!

Build a bridge the size of one in Newport Rhode Island so that there is no need for a tunnel or lifting portion of the bridge. The idiots get into the tunnels and they freeze up and slow everything down. The Newport Bridge was built to allow aircraft carriers to go underneath it...learn from the New Englanders!!

I have to get this off my chest: Im sure most of the accidents are around here are related to people being stupid--no one around here seems to know how to drive. Frequent, unneccessary lane changes with no signal, speeding, cel phones, and general not-paying-attention...And too many young people with not enough proper teaching on how to handle a car, not to mention the older drivers who SHOULD know better but still drive a reject...Not to mention that no one has common courtesy anymore, forcing you to drive aggresively instead of defensively...Im gonna stop now so my head doesnt explode...

Building more roads in Hampton Roads will NOT fix the traffic problem in the area. Only more traffic problems will occur, and then even more tax money will be thrown and wasted to fix those future problems. And the traffic around here is mostly commuters to and from work. The solution lies in the improving the mass transit infrsstructure in the Tidewater region. The light rail project is a start. A larger heavier rail system would be a much greaer improvment. A fine example is the BART system in the San Francisco Bay area. A similar rail transit system could easily be implemented here. Imagine taking a train during rush hour from Williamsburg to Downtown Norfolk, or the Beach Oceanfront to Naval Station Norfolk, or to Newport News. That would mean more people spending less time on the roads during their transit to and from work, thus greater productivity for the people and for business. And you have a greater chance to avoid problems like on Thursday. Less cars means less accidents, thus car insurance rates might decrease. Fewer cars on the roads means less roads maintenance, which is paid for by tax dollars. Many more benefits exist for the entire Hampton Roads area,

For all the places I have lived in, drivers in Virginia Beach and Norfolk are the worst in the nation when it comes to driving in even a small shower. NO other area in the country has as many wrecks and fender benders over just rain. Good thing snow and ice are rare. Governor would have to order a curfew!

Each day that passes by will be forever changed for the family of Chastity. She had many things planned in her life and now has lost the opportunity to do them. She has children and loved ones that shared her life and that is gone. Could it be that a little "inconvenience" can be tolerated in the large scheme of things? So she didn't lose her life in Iraq. Does that make it any less important of a life? NO!! She will be missed and those who knew her will be proud of the woman that she was. Accidents happen, who knows what tomorrow brings? Spend your life looking at the positives, for the negatives will bring you down.

"Maybe do what Charleston; S.C. did...with the high bridges?"

You make a good point. Spot on. However, the common man simply does not understand how these things get done. The bridge in Charleston solved huge problems and was actually built in only 44 months. From design to ready to drive. % of design done by SCDOT - 0%. Delivery method - Design Build (the only way this could happen so fast and cheap)Cost $650M. SC basically had to "mortgage" their entire transportation dept for this and a few other project trough sale of GARVEE bonds. We could have numerous projects completed here just as fast. How? Public Private Partnerships. Let private firms finance it, design it, build it, collect user fees, turn it back over to the state in 30 years. Only way we will EVER see relief and attract new business/tax base. Until then we are destined to be an area in decline. Don't like user fees? How do you pay for your water? Phone? Cable? Electric? Gas? Only fair method.

i am sorry, it really isn't that easy to work on the same side the water you live. believe me, i work in chesapeake and love my job so i should have to move down there? even tho my fiance works in williamsburg? so i should leave my good paying job that i like to take a pay cut, work on my side of the water and maybe hate it? just bc it seems like the easiest solution doesnt mean its the best. believe me, i'd love to work on my side of the water but...

but for so many of you, you don't. Fog or no fog so many are rectless and I'm one who was sorry the abusive driver fines were killed.

The main problem for all the problems with trafic in this area is due to the drivers.

Why is there a backup at the tunnel, when nothing is wrong? because someone is not driving the speed limit.

Why do we always see backup by an excit ramp, becaue people dont know how to merge into trafic.

Alot of accident are due to people passing on the inside.

This is why the left lane is to pass, DONT drive out there just for fun, if you see someone comming up behind you move over.
You always see drivers in the left lane...thinking it is ok..since they are driving the speedlimit. MOVE over.

Half of the time you will be driving into the tunnnel going like 20mph...when you get out of the tunnel you are at 60mph.....again someone driving slow.

Maybe there should be spend some more time on getting your licence... right now you might as well have a machine and go put $10 in there and get your licence.

We could learn alot about driving if you look at Europe, specially Germany. Here you learn that you are not driving in the left lane. talking on the phone, eating, drinking, smokking etc. left lane is to pass in

So everybody move over if you are in the left lane and people w

I was one of the many stuck in traffic for two hours and mad at the delay. Once I found out about the fatality however, I felt blessed to be alive.

Then I read some of the comments below... The poor woman was killed and you have the gall to cry about lost $$$. Some of you are basically subhuman and are probably the very same people who sped to the front of two merging lanes, cutting people off, and drove on the sides or even the medians to get around everyone.

The next time you are hopelessly stuck in traffic look around you and take note of all the single occupant luxury sport vehicles and one-driver wallet-mobiles and laugh. We contribute the biggest part of the traffic problem by trying to save 100 dollars a month by living 70 miles away. Where are the savings or the sense in that?

Of course if appropriate and affordable housing were more readily available near work then that would help immensely. But that is a city management problem.

Citizens who work on the Peninsula must live on the Peninsula and citizens who work on the Southside must live on Southside, and tourism explodes one month from today. This whole situation really is about residents living in defiance, refusing to accept responsibility for their own destinies. Not only will needed expansion require new BIG TAX MONEY, continued upwards fuel pricing and their 14 hour plus a week commute will continue to cost THEM and THEIR family dearly even twenty years from now when completed. Unlike NYC, DC, or LA with their huge vertical workspaces, Tidewater is entirely horizontal and therefore easier to live near work. Large builders like Dragas, Chesapeake Homes, and Centex are building nice communities all over SE Virginia to improve quality of life. Razing and rebuilding inner city blight will bring investment, better employers, better educated citizenry, better paying jobs, and a better quality of life. 390+ additional travel hours and $1000+ in extra gas expense every year? What's in your wallet?

re traffic: One could live on the same side of the water one works.

Sad for her and her family.

Simple factor: less people = less traffic.

Shame our city fathers never caught on.

What ever the visibility, you're not supposed to drive so fast you can't see a stopped vehicle in front of you. Yes, in heavy rain and fog you should be driving at a speed significantly slower than the posted speed limit. Sometimes conditions are even bad enough you should pull off the road or not leave home in the first place.

Shame on employers or educational institutions that don't consider unexpected fog, heavy rain or snow/ice covered roads sufficient reason for absences or late shift/class starts. On the other hand people do need to rise early and leave home early when bad weather was predicted in the previous evening's forecast.

By the way, the "Ten and Two" hands position many of us learned in driver's education is outdated. Should circumstances lead to your air bag deploying that position will allow the air bag to drive your arms and hands into your face. It's safer to hold the wheel at the nine and three o'clock positions.

Another clarification, the state requires minimum injury and property damage liability coverage, but that in no way limits either the potential liability or the amount that could be awarded in a civil suit. Your insurer may eve

loss of a young persons life. Questions that need answers, obviously she must have been healthy...being in the service and 21...I am just wondering if some health problem...sudden medical problem...caused such a wreck?

As far as the HRBT all anyone has to do is look at it heading to Hampton on any given afternoon...even with no accidents it backs up to Granby Street routinely. This is just a problem that has been staring this area in the eye for years...it is not like it just happened and poof we have backups etc. Throw in the introduction of greatly expanding population of this area and this alone makes it almost come to a daily standstill. Now add a few cell phone users and mix with inattention to details and bam a solid backup. It is quite unfortunate this young lady lost her life.
Yet it shows how easy the HRBT backs up to insane distances once a major accident occurs. Maybe do what Charleston; S.C. did...with the high bridges? The solution is never going to be cheap...but it is way overdue. I am thinking instead of the go nowhere light rail that was approved...this should have taken priority within this area.

Faith in the road system ? LOL !

VDOT built a two lane flyover for 64 East to 264 East to the Beach years ago, only to change it to one lane a short time later, I have heard due to safety issues. Great planning. Your money wasted.

64 West construction at Newport News was delayed for many months due to design drainage problems. Great planning.

Downtown tunnel west from Norfolk to Portsmouth as you exit the tunnel has dotted and solid lines that are fading, confusing drivers as to whether you can change lanes or not, yet they give tickets, for a marking that exists in no DMV driving manual. A call to VDOT upper echelon noting concern was responded as, I thought they took the passing dotted line away last year. Duh.

264 East from Norfolk to 64 East off ramp has the most accidents of any area around here I have seen. More great planning.

Court Street Portsmouth South to 264 intersection advertises 264 West next right, yet you have to cross a solid line in order to take that sign advice. More money for the city.

I could go on.

Pathetic.

Nobody is aware of what happened exactly. You can't blame this woman for causing her own death.

I guess NONE of you have ever had an accident, or a ticket or been distracted...possibly have a medical condition that could cause you to have an accident. It must be amazing to be you.

I do wish the same sympathy for you after your grizzly death, alone, where ever you are. I know, it sounds harsh, but how many deaths are peaceful ones? Think about it. May everyone you don't know pass judgement on you and blame you for getting cancer or being struck by lighting...or maybe even by a car accident.

The traffic issues in the Tidewater will never be corrected due to the multiple outdated tunnels and lift bridges. The cost of building high rise bridges and sinking additional tubes is astronomical. Unfortunately, everyone wants to cry about the possibility of tolls (the only way the tunnel will ever be expanded). Or goofier yet, push for a "light rail" across the same marine crossing. That cannot be funded with taxpayer funds for the next million years. Ridership will not pay for it either. It is a pipe dream to think that VDOT can come up with over a billion dollars to put light rail across the water to Newport News. May as well wish for gold to fall from the sky. We could get additional tubes with the third crossing. Push for the public private partnerships that are the only realistic way the needed infrastructure will ever be built in the Tidewater. User fees (tolls) are a small inconvenience compared to what there is now. Ain't gettin better in your lifetime without realistic action folks.