Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer said Wednesday that the state will pay for a study into how additional tubes at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel could reduce congestion.
The study will examine six alternatives to adding tunnel capacity and will include rough cost estimates for the work, Homer said.There are no up-to-date estimates for the cost of enlarging the crossing.
The study is not intended to change the region's long-range plans for transportation improvements, which include building the proposed third crossing. The analysis is intended to explore how adding to the bridge tunnel could improve overall regional mobility.
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Get rid of the MPO
It's apparent that the MPO is clueless when it comes to what is needed for Tidewater. Maybe that group of developer controlled politicians along with the HRPDC needs to be re-staffed with citizens and experts with a true understanding of regional issues. Not a bunch of politicians looking out for their politicial future.
Speaking of the SE expressway...
When I was at Kellam H.S. (89-92), there was a sign right across the street from the parking lot entrance that said, "Future site of Southeastern Expressway." It's now 2008 and there's no SE Expressway, nor any sign of it coming in the near future. Just how far in the "future" do we put these signs out there? Again, quit yappin' and git-r-done!
The HRBT
Well you can thank Paul Fraim and the MPO for poo-pooing the expansion of the HRBT. He wanted to make sure the port had it's gravy train and that the business communities were taken care of first before really addressing the real traffic gridlock in Tidewater. For starters, the SE Expressway should be scrapped and replace the funding for that to add to expanding the HRBT.
A Day Late and a dollar short
Road and highway improvements around here are always done the same way. A study is done to figure out what improvemnts will meet current demands. Then the bureaucrats talk about it for 20 years, and then it takes another 20 to become reality. So, by the time the project is completed, it is 40 years out of date. I'm 34 and have lived in Va Beach my whole life. I-64 on the peninsula has been under construction as long as I can remember and the HRBT has been overfilled as long as I can remember. They've been debating forever about whether to expand the HRBT or build a 3rd crossing. By the time either one gets done, we'll have enough traffic to justify having both projects done. Personally, I think we have that much already. And, while I'm on the subject, VDOT wants more people to use the MMMBT rather than the HRBT. Sure, I'll happily drive 35 miles in the other direction to cross the river. In summary, quit yappin' and git-r-done already!!!
It's simple
Secretary Pierce Homer get a lawn chair and sit on any side of the HRBT and then listen to the local traffic reports at rush hour. There, look how much money I saved you and the Commonwealth or hire me and I’ll do it for you.
Here is the Final study
The whole story of why the third crossing was picked over the HRBT is in this document. Caution: It is a very large pdf file. Have fun.
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/studyhro-crossing-feis.PDF
No Recent Estimate?
Are you telling me in all the work done to try to sell us on the third crossing, an estimate of adding another tube to the Hampton Roads bridge tunnel was never done? So how did they determine the third crossing was the best alternative if they didn't consider the most obvious alternative?
It is great to see VDOT stepping up to do this instead of pawning it on the region to pay for if it is necessary.
Great.
Ok great, they pay to have the study done, the study proves that more tunnels and more lanes are what is needed for this area to ease congestion and hours long rush hour. Once the study is done does the STATE plan on paying for these things to be fixed? While I agree that those of us who use the roads should PAY for them, the truth is these projects have already been paid for. Everyone KNOWS that this area either needs more crossings, tunnels and lanes in order to ease congestion because public transportation is completely unreliable. Why spend the money on a STUDY to MAYBE fix the problem when you could spend it on FIXING the problem???
While everyone is studying,
a "No Distraction Zone" could be established on I-64 for 10 miles on either side of the HRBT. In this 20 mile stretch drivers cannot use their cell phones, or do anything else that distracts from 100% attention to driving. Install lots of reminder signs and provide stiff enforcement of all traffic laws that address drivers not being efficient in the use of the existing lanes. Use variable message signs to notify drivers who are causing delays by not maintaining their speed. Heavy pressure to drive properly through the HRBT area will greatly lessen the delays we all hate. Teaching proper drivinig techniques for tunnels and bridges in all drivers' ed classes would help as well since the subject is currently ignored in training and in the testing new drivers must complete in order to be licensed. Construction and new taxes are not the only answer to the congestion problem.
Your answer right here!
Adding a tube each way, doubling the capacity of the HRBT will reduce the congestion by 40%
I am a Professional Engineer and consider this my free contribution. You all will see the same or similar result once this study is complete, at our expense of course.
They should have doubled the capacity in 1986 when they had the chance!