Berkley Bridge lift schedule to change today

NORFOLK

The Berkley Bridge lift schedule will change again - making travel less predictable for motorists but more convenient for ship traffic.

Beginning today, the four scheduled daytime openings that took effect in October will go from a set time to 20-minute or 30-minute windows during which the bridge can lift.

The Coast Guard determined that the current schedule is too rigid for maritime vessels, which rely on winds, currents, tides and other uncontrollable factors to remain on schedule.

Since mid-October, the Berkley Bridge, at the mouth of the Downtown Tunnel, has lifted at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays if needed, providing motorists a precise time frame so they can avoid traffic delays. Previously, it opened on demand of ship captains, except during rush hours. The Virginia Department of Transportation asked for the change because of growing traffic congestion.

The change resulted in a 21 percent decrease in the number of bridge openings and a 30 percent reduction in the amount of time the bridge remained open for the first 2-1/2 months of the new lift schedule, VDOT statistics indicate.

Starting today, the bridge can lift sometime between 9 and 9:30 a.m., 11 and 11:30 a.m., 1 and 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 and 2:50 p.m. The bridge can lift only once during each window.

Ship captains will be required to call the bridge tender with an estimated arrival time, which will then be posted on highway message signs and other traffic information outlets to alert motorists to upcoming delays.

Lifts will continue to be restricted during weekday rush hours, from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m.

During those hours, only commercial ships carrying hazardous materials or with drafts of 18 feet or more can request an opening. The bridge lifts on demand before 5 a.m., after 7 p.m. and on weekends.

"Based on the comments we received and along with the consultation with VDOT and the maritime community, the need was identified for more safe transit for maritime commerce," said Waverly Gregory Jr., Coast Guard bridge administrator.

The Virginia Maritime Association and the Virginia Ship Repair Association, whose combined membership is more than 500 businesses, suggested the latest change to give ships more flexibility. Under the current rules, when ships missed the opening they incurred safety risks or monetary losses from the delay.

"We hope these adjustments will alleviate some of these situations without disrupting the water traffic or the surface traffic," said Art Moye, executive vice president of the Maritime Association.

VDOT spokeswoman Lauren Hansen said the new policy was working well for motorists, resulting in fewer lifts, less congestion and the ability to plan trips around openings.

"We would prefer to have a set time, but we understand the need to take into consideration the vehicle traffic and water traffic issues," she said.

The Coast Guard said that of the 861 comments it received on the current, set schedule, all but five supported it.

VDOT asked for a set lift schedule because of growing traffic at the Berkley Bridge and Downtown Tunnel due to the closure of the Jordan Bridge and construction at the Gilmerton Bridge.

The Downtown Tunnel is the most heavily traveled of the region's five tunnels, carrying about 100,000 vehicles a day. For each bridge opening, traffic is stopped for an average of 12 to 15 minutes and stacks up about 1-1/2 miles on each side of the tunnel, according to VDOT estimates.

Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com