Transportation: Think outside the box to get from Point A to Point B

Cars, trucks, airplanes, buses, trains and ferries keep Hampton Roads visitors and residents on the move. But traveling from one city to another takes tenacity and insight into a complex web of highways and tunnels.

Like thousands of commuters, Wayne Jones goes over rivers and through the woods to get from his home in Smithfield to his job in Norfolk. His 43-mile trip takes him from Route 17 in Suffolk to I-664, then on to Bowers Hill to hit I- 64, where traffic bottlenecks at the High-Rise Bridge.

“I might not take the shortest route, but I try to avoid the tunnels,” said the chief financial officer.

Jones said that, by Thursday or Friday, the driving gets exhausting. And he sees future roadblocks on his commute. “In five years, I don’t think my route will work. We need some answers to the congestion. ”

Since Hampton Roads Transportation Authority got approval of several city councils, some major road projects may get rolling. Possibilities include a new Midtown Tunnel and wider bridges for Chesapeake’s High-Rise and the Steel Bridge on Dominion Boulevard.

The 2007 General Assembly session approved taking $6. 1 million from General Funds for hybrid-electric buses in Norfolk and $10 million to support the Norfolk light rail project. They also will borrow $3 billion for new statewide construction projects.

Still there’s no imminent plan to unclog the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, which handles 110,000 vehicles a day.

Interstate 64, known for this often-congested tunnel, provides the main route into Norfolk. Heading away from the Chesapeake Bay, it takes travelers through the much-used interchange with I-264 on its way to Chesapeake.

It ends in Bowers Hill, where I-664 and I-264 meet loosely. I-664 takes you to the Peninsula through the newer and less crowded Monitor- Merrimac Memorial Bridge- Tunnel. From Bowers Hill, heading to Portsmouth on I-264, you can crawl through the Downtown Tunnel, go over the Berkley Bridge and continue east to the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach.

A quick way to get to Chesapeake and not take I-64 is to go over the Berkley Bridge to I- 464. Another short-cut is I-564 that provides the link to the Norfolk Naval Base off I-64.

Last year, 20 million rides were taken on Hampton Roads Transit buses, vans, cars, ferries and trolleys. The region’s public transportation organization offers a range of options for citizens and visitors.

Regular bus service is offered throughout Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News. Service is also available between South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula on the Crossroads bus.

Adult cash fares for buses are $1. 50 while youth fees are $1. Identification may be required for youth passengers nearing 18 years of age. Seven-day fare cards are $17 while the 10-day card runs $14. Tickets may be purchased at HRT offices and at some Farm Fresh locations.

Express buses make daily trips to the Norfolk Naval Station from park-and-ride lots at Greenbrier Mall, Indian River Road, Silverleaf Drive and several locations on the Peninsula. Curb-to-curb van service called Handi-Ride/Paratransit is available for qualified disabled riders for trips that start and end within 3/4 mile of a regular bus route.

Several other modes of land transportation include the Norfolk Electric Transit (NET) buses and the VB Wave trolley service. NET buses carry passengers for free through downtown from Harbor Park to the Harrison Opera House and Monticello Avenue. They run from 6:30 a. m. until 11 p. m. , Monday through Friday, from noon until midnight on Saturday and from noon until 8 p. m. on Sunday. The VB Wave trolleys charge $1 per person per way, but also have various multiday passes. They travel along Atlantic Avenue, from 2nd to 40th streets. There are also routes that extend to the Virginia Marine Science Museum and Lynnhaven Mall. (Call 1-800-VABEACH for information on routes and schedules.)

To cross the Elizabeth River in style, HRT provides a ferry service from downtown Norfolk to Portsmouth. Experience the old-time paddlewheel ferry for $1 a ride.

HRT encourages carpooling. Van pools that offer leases on 15-passenger vans are available. The Traffix program will assist in finding passengers. The service uses a computer program based on place of residence, work location and hours of employment to bring people together who might want to share a ride to work. Carpoolers can use HRT park-and-ride lots for free. They can also use designated HOV lanes to bypass congestion.

Also, in the works is a light rail system that will run between Newtown Road and the medical center complex. Completion is set for early 2010.

For more information on the many services offered by HRT, visit its Web site at www.gohrt.com, or call 222- 6100. Dial 1-800-700-RIDE for Traffix carpooling details.

Norfolk International Airport has nearly 200 arrivals and departures daily. It greets close to 4 million travelers each year.

The airport is served by American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Southwest and U. S. Airways. Regional carriers also have regular flights from the airport. For more information, go to www.norfolkairport.com for travel planning, flight guides, airport maps and other links, or call 857-3351.

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, at 900 Bland Blvd., in Newport News, has 60 arrivals and departures each day. It’s home to US Airways Express, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection and the popular low-fare carrier AirTran Airways. Each year, more than 1 million passengers use this airport, which will open a new parking garage this summer. For more information, contact the airport at www.nnwairport.com or call 877-0221.

Amtrak departs Newport News in the morning and afternoon each day. Trains go to Richmond and beyond. Amtrak provides a bus link to Norfolk and Virginia Beach for a fee. For more information, call 1-800-872-7245 or visit www.Amtrak.com.

You can still leave the driving to Greyhound with buses serving the region and many departures from downtown Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Hampton. Call 1-800-231-2222 or visit www.greyhound.com for more information.

Compiled by Carol Hanna Branch