The Virginia Department of Transportation will shut down eastbound traffic on Interstate 64 early Sunday as a test of its ability to manage an evacuation of Hampton Roads.
The test, scheduled for 5 to 7 a.m., will involve closing eastbound traffic along I-64 from the I-295 interchange near Richmond to just east of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
No westbound traffic will be diverted onto the eastbound lanes, but eastbound motorists could encounter delays, VDOT said.
Eastbound motorists seeking to get on the interstate near Richmond will be diverted for the duration of the test, while those already on the interstate during the drill will be allowed to proceed through.
Eastbound drivers encountering the test will find access ramps blocked by red and white barriers arranged by VDOT.
A mass evacuation of Hampton Roads in advance of a hurricane has never been ordered and would require an order from the governor. Only the most dangerous storms would qualify.
Virginia is conducting the drill in response to problems encountered along the Gulf Coast in 2005 when hurricanes created interstate gridlock.
In addition to VDOT, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia National Guard will participate.
Tom Holden, (757) 446-2331, tom.holden@pilotonline.com
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Notification
This closure was advertised in the paper and on the news for at least a week. How much more advance notice do we need? And really when it comes to our own safety, we're on our own. We have to use that thing above our shoulders for more than a hat rack!
Holiday?
Is Sunday a holiday?
Brunch delayed?
Who goes to mothers day brunch at 5 AM?
What Are They Thinking?
What are they thinking? Hmmmm...I don't think they ARE thinking! Let's close down the entire interstate on a HOLIDAY morning! I can think of a lot of Mother's Day brunches that may have to be delayed when people can't get through.
Let's be real -- if the big one does come, we will all be locked in total gridlock! The interstate can't handle normal day-to-day traffic without hour long delays and accidents every place. How on earth is that stretch of interstate going to handle a mass exodus?
As nice as it would be to think we could all safely evacuate, the truth is there are just too many of us and not enough roads. What roads there are all lead to other places that would be evacuating. So no gas, no water, no anything, after days of gridlock -- hmmm sounds like a good plan to me! Who wants to weather a horrible hurricane while trapped in a car on an interstate that isn't moving? By the time our local leaders could come to the conclusion to evacuate, it would be days too late.
Happy Mother's Day!
Well planned..
Super Genius Logic. Christmas morning would be a much better time to fool with those barriers...
I have a suggestion; fire VDOT and hire NCDOT to run all future road projects. NCDOT can get things done!
Applaud????
this "project" is a disaster waiting to happen. All this is going to do is leave thousands of people stranded in their cars riding out a hurricane. They'll have no acccess to food, fuel or even water. Just another feel good government program and waste of our money......idiots.
I-64 shut down sunday am
With the LGPA in williamsburg this weekend I'm sure this will be a" BIG HIT"
Traffic
I applaud VDOT working to ensure the system works but what about the people who have to get to work and/or the people that are traveling towards the beach that don't get this notice? Of course VDOT will reroute them but at what inconvenience and, more importantly, at what cost? Gas isn't cheap anymore. Why can't this be done between midnight and 2? From 5-7 there are quite a few more people on the road. Government not thinking things through!