The Virginian-Pilot
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Several regional leaders lashed out at state highway officials Wednesday for pushing forward on a $5 million study to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel without consulting them first.
In the past, the Virginia Department of Transportation worked through elected officials on the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization to decide what roads are studied and eventually built in the region.
Last month, VDOT initiated a process seeking proposals from consulting engineers on how to boost capacity at the harbor crossing, which was ranked the most congested interstate in the area in a recent report.
The study came as a surprise to many planning organization members. Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim called VDOT's actions "a break of trust, of relationship."
"We've not been told by VDOT before that we're doing something whether you like it or not," Fraim said at Wednesday's board meeting of the planning organization.
He said later in an interview that it's an "end run on the decision-making process of the TPO by people who don't agree with our long-range plan."
Dwight Farmer, planning group's executive director, said the process undertaken by VDOT for the study is "unprecedented."
He noted that when VDOT conducted the study that resulted in a recommendation to build another harbor crossing known as the Third Crossing, the effort was initiated and coordinated with the TPO.
Farmer and his staff suggested the state delay the study until an on-going process to prioritize transportation needs is finished, likely in November.
Regional transportation planning groups are federally mandated to set transportation needs to qualify for federal funding.
"This appears to get the process out of order," Farmer said.
TPO chairman and Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms asked VDOT's project manager Chris Collins, "Regardless of what we say, you're moving forward, correct?"
"Correct," Collins answered.
"Great process," Sessoms said.
Eric Stringfield, VDOT's district planning manager, said widening the HRBT has been considered an unfunded need by the group.
He also reminded them that the study does not commit the region to building anything.
Del. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, congratulated VDOT, "Hallelujah... It's time we've done a study on the HRBT to answer some of the questions."
A December 2008 feasibility study proposed six alternatives to expanding the HRBT: four would add tunnels and two would add bridges at costs ranging from $2.2 billion to $3.2 billion.
The Norfolk City Council voted to oppose the proposals because, it said, they would destroy too many homes and bring too much noise and pollution to Willoughby and Ocean View.
Oder said the new study will raise a bridge-tunnel widening project to the same level of planning and environmental clearances as the proposed Third Crossing, which includes a new bridge and tunnel heading west from the port terminals and naval station in Norfolk connecting to Craney Island in Portsmouth before crossing to the Peninsula. In 1997, the cost was estimated at $4.2 billion.
Earlier this year Oder sponsored a bill that requires that the state accept for review unsolicited private proposals for expansion of the HRBT.
VDOT is seeking engineering firms to conduct a three-year study of congestion relief options at the bridge-tunnel.
The project includes securing environmental and water quality clearances.
"I think VDOT is responding to political pressure brought by some members of the General Assembly, and I think they're responding inappropriately," Fraim said.
Fraim is a proponent of the Third Crossing, which was endorsed unanimously by the TPO a decade ago.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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HRBT and Midtown Tunnel
HRBT:
1. VDOT should hire NASCAR pit-crew wannabees to clear breakdowns and accidents. It's embarrassingly shocking how long it takes them to clear a problem.
2. VDOT should also install porta-potties every 30 feet until the traffic they haven't addressed has been fixed (west bound from 4th View and East bound at least from Settlers Landing Road). No, I'm not kidding.
3. Charge any vehicle with non-VA tags (yes, military too) $5 each way toll. Wasn't the whole point to build the inner/outer loop the point to get VA Beach/Outer Banks tourist traffic to use the M&M? Well, that failed terribly, oui?
Midtown Tunnel:
1. I want to see some serious dialogue regarding a real solution.
I truly do not see anything working except for 2 tunnels, 3 lanes each (one lane being a pull-over for accidents/breakdowns/hurricane evacuation)...and that's not even addressing growth. That's handling the current problem. This would require using eminent domain to essentially take out all the homes/apartments you currently view going down Hampton Blvd., if you more or less use the current location. Thoughts?
bbashara
Your comment about city employees being over paid is over stated. Not all city employees are over paid. Those not in high positions are barely getting by. My spouse is a city employee and will not see a cost of living raise in the new budget that has already begun and her health care costs have gone up this year. You need not to generalize and be more specific on which city employees you are referring to in you comment. That statement is misleading. Now, if you are referring to people like the CITY MANAGER in Norfolk and that end of the spectrum you are correct. Other than that, what you say is true.
Not all city employees are overpaid!!!
Of course, I was not talking about the rank and file city employees--although some of them are pretty bad too! I'm referring to the Barbara Lais, Nikki Riddicks, Cassandra Goodwyns, Alphonso Alberts, Regina V.K. Williams and the rest of the sketchy people drawing much more pay than they are worth!!!! Experience it for yourself. Call any city agency with a problem and count all the inaccurate answers you'll get and how long you'll be put on hold. Their goal is to tell you absolutely anything to get you off the phone and not to help you. Fish stinks from the head down!
Mike to McDonnell...
Our esteemed developer Mike Barrett opines "Adding credence to the disfunction of the Commonwealth in regard to its failure to maintain and sustain our transportation infrastructure is a report that the National Capital Region TPO is proposing tolls of up to $1.00/mile for I-95 from Fredericksburg to DC. In other words, Governor, if you won't take action, we will." This is hysterical. We will take action? Who is WE Mike? Sir, you and your developer weenies don't have the power to take action to do anything. Are we to believe that you and a handful of developers are going to force Gov. McDonnell to implement $1.00 tolls on I-64, 264, & 664? If he refuses, are you planning to go up to Richmond and single handedly impeach Gov. McDonnell, convict him of malfeasanse, being an anti-tax zealot, and throw him out of the Executive Mansion? WOW. I can't wait to see this. Anyway, VDOT is probably responding to the HRTPO incompetence. They are more interested in their pet projects than traffic congestion. Mayor Fraim poo-pooed the idea to study the widening of the HRBT, so VDOT is going to do it for them.
Much ado about nothing
Study all you want, until the General Assembly steps up with a revenue source for road contruction, nothing is going to get built. Period.
What's the point to studying something that has no chance in the next 15 years of getting built? I guess it puts bread on the consultants table.
Great Process
From the article:
"Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms asked VDOT's project manager Chris Collins, "Regardless of what we say, you're moving forward, correct?"
"Correct," Collins answered.
"Great process," Sessoms said."
So perhaps now the Mayor knows how the VB citizens who voted and won with NO for Light Rail in the last referendum feel. Regarless of what we say, they are moving forward with Light Rail. Great process.
Probably not
Both of them are too high on themselves, and too closed minded to understand. Besides, sessoms is a puppet to the VB developer, and is also the yes man for fraim.
Glad to see VDOT steps in and shows leadership, something the TPO is lacking.
The local leaders
Are the ones holding everything up. They all objected to routes that would travel to a new span and Fraim obviously does not want any of it to go through Norfolk. If we need any improvement it is to the HRBT. It is without a doubt the biggest traffic choke point in the region. So the heck with the mayors and lets get on with it.
Why should Friam and Sessoms feelings be hurt?
If this is a three-year comprehensive analysis of bridge structure, future load capacity, waterway, sediment (for new bridge\rail support) and environmental impact covering various options of transportation should be welcome as it will accomplish what will be required IF the rail system is extended to the Peninsula as proposed.
As funding is not secured for the current rail construction and maintenance, and no mention of estimated ridership ticket price and NEW tax revenue being generated to service the debt, or even a part of the debt. How was Friam going to fund and commission a study?
VDOT is willing to execute, why cry foul, this study saves time and local money.
Another Study?
Okay we know we need the crossing, we have done numerous studies already. One of which suggested another crossing west of the HRBT (Which if we all use common sense, will fail miserably) VDOT don't waste the money on another study. Put the money toward actually building a crossing or widening the HRBT in my lifetime. I expect to live at least 40 more years. The mayors are upset because VDOT is going to do a study without consulting them? Wake up elected officials, we the voters want to see results. We are tired of wasted money on studies that common sense already gave us the results.