The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Saying they fear the quality of life in Ocean View would be harmed irreparably, city officials plan to turn out in force tonight and next week at public hearings to oppose proposals to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
At issue are concerns that the expansion proposals, while aimed at easing congestion, would take property away from dozens of landowners in the Willoughby and Commodore Park communities and move a busy highway closer to hundreds of other homes.
"Now that we've seen the number of homes to be taken, I just don't think it is feasible," Del. Paula Miller, D-Norfolk, said this week.
Norfolk's opposition stems from the results of a study requested by lawmakers on the Peninsula earlier this year. They asked transportation officials to consider adding a two-lane tunnel to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The bridge-tunnel, which carries about 86,000 cars daily, is frequently the site of miles-long backups.
The consultant offered six proposals, three of which would add two lanes of traffic. Two were deemed unlikely to greatly improve traffic flow. Another, which would allow traffic to flow through a tunnel in either direction depending on the time of day, would provide some relief.
Three other proposals would add four lanes of traffic and all would improve traffic flow, the consultant found. Two would do so through new tunnels. A third proposal would include a 5,400-foot suspension bridge, which would be among the world's longest. It would carry four lanes of traffic 220 feet above the Hampton Roads harbor.
The final three proposals would cost at least $3.2 billion. Although tolls would pay part of the cost, additional funding would still be required.
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said he initially supported the idea of the study because he was told the bridge-tunnel could be expanded in the existing right of way.
"That turned out not to be possible," Fraim said.
The region's best option remains the third crossing, he said. The $4.5 billion version of the project would combine a bridge-tunnel from the Norfolk Naval Base area to the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, and the widening of interstate highways in Suffolk, Chesapeake, Newport News and Hampton.
State officials should consider building just the bridge-tunnel, which would cost about $2 billion, Fraim said.
"The third crossing was an engineer's dream, but a politician's nightmare," he said. "It was too big and too complicated.
"If we just build the tunnel, it will take congestion away from the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, which is something we all want."
The region's long-range transportation plan, approved by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and most local governments, lists six projects. The plan includes the third crossing, the Southeastern Expressway in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and expansion of U.S. Route 460.
Fraim said that, because of the General Assembly's failure to provide funding in recent years, the long-range plan needs to be pared down.
"We're going to have to start dealing with reality," he said.
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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New Midtown Tunnel Tube is Best Solution to HRBT Congestion.
The current “third crossing” plan is very inefficient and expensive, and it simply directs Norfolk traffic to the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. Adding a new two-lane tube to the Midtown tunnel would accomplish nearly the same result. It would direct more Norfolk traffic to the MM bridge tunnel, especially during rush hour. However, a new midtown tube would also relieve a large amount of traffic on the downtown tunnel, and also on I-64 in Chesapeake as it offers an alternate route across the Southside combined with Route 164. The midtown tunnel was originally planned as four lanes with two tubes, and is simple to add now. Its cost would be roughly 20% of the third crossing plan. No real estate needs to be taken, and virtually no connecting roads are necessary.
Crossing Hampton Roads
Two points to make. One, the MMBT remains relativly clear because it is inconvienently located. The Naval Base traffic in the afternoon does much to tie up the HRBT. How many people want to drive the long distance through Chesapeake to take the MMBT? I like the idea of a link to it from near the base. Second, the idea of a bridge will never fly. The Navy will never allow a bridge to be placed accross an entrance to the channel, that is why we have the tunnels in the first place. The large amount of waterway crossings in the region are what make the traffic situation so bad. Whatever is decided( if anything ever is) it needs to be a very aggressive approach such as adding another East and West tunnel to the HRBT, another Midtown tunnel, etc. Spend the money now or loose it later(to lost invesments, growth...)
The third (?) crossing is NOT going to solve any problems
while truck traffic might be reduced, trucks are NOT causing the problems at the HRBT, I know, I drive it twice a day.
These politicians pushing their agendas as opposed to pushing what is best for the region reinforce the opposition the voters have shown to their ideas all along.
The end run attempt with the commission of cities didn't work, thank heavens, now they are going to have to provide real solutions and be responsible for the decisions.
Oh please....
Nobama will pay for this? Oh, NObama will pay for all the defaulted mortgages as well. Get a grip all you NObama fans, you were seriously duped and delusional.
The Third Crossing
Mayor Fraim is determined to get his $4.5 BIL driveway for his HR Commerce buddies. If that link is built off of I564 to the Monitor Merrimac, then Naval Base Commuters will be fighting truckers going too and from work. Brilliant Mayor! So much for the quality of life for base commuters.
Start by using the tunnels we have
While the HRBT is congested every day, the MMBT is almost always better, often significantly so. The solution to balancing out that traffic flow is as cheap as a few sheets of metal. A significant amount of traffic continues to take the HRBT only because it has the same number as the road that brought them to this area. So renumber the interstates and put up some new signs so 64 crosses the MMBT into Chesapeake, loops around south across the High Rise, up to the Barry Robbinson Interchange, and turns east again and continues to the Oceanfront. Even if it doesn't work, at least we'd have a highway system that makes sense, where the westbound lanes don't go east.
Markowitz Obama!
Obama will solve Hampton roads traffic and employment problems...........
I guess it was the tooth fairy who left the quarter under your pillow!
An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Back)
In Norfolk, real estate interests (and real estate taxes) always take priority.
I think we do need a third crossing but I think it needs to be a narrower rail crossing that would connect with Hampton and eventually go all the way to Richmond and points west. This would not require much road widening or property loss. Rebuilding our rail system is a way to create good jobs, lessen the congestion on our highways by providing alternatives, and provide more ecologically sound transportation. The Obama administration is likely to provide funds for this and our region and state should take advantage.
LATE...NOTHING NEW
This whole transportation thing has just never been handled right from start...budget..you build homes in every corner of the tidewater area...if you built they will come and they do...most of all WHERE IS THE MONEY...It is going to take a lot to do what should have been done a long time ago..
Conflict of interest
1. I wonder how many Norfolk Politricksters or thier buddies own land in the subject area?
2. No Norfolk Politricksters have to use the HRBT to go to work. I do and have for years, with no plans to change.
3. No MAX, rail, or what ever exists for me that is even remotely reasonable to use.
4. TAKE A HIKE Norfolk City Council. The state will step in and fix these problems. They know the bottle neck that exists between Settler's Landing Road in Hampton and Granby Street in Norfolk. It's only a matter of time before this obvious problem will have to be corrected.