Traffic nightmares prompt VDOT to suspend bridge closures

Sept. 21, 2012

A traffic nightmare that resulted from bridge closures last weekend has prompted the Virginia Dept. of Transportation to suspend planned closures at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and James River Bridge scheduled for this upcoming weekend.

The decision was as a result of a traffic nightmare that occurred last weekend when eastbound lanes of the HRBT and southbound lanes of JRB were closed at the same time, Charlie Kilpatrick, VDOT’s chief deputy commissioner of highways said in a teleconference covered by the Newport News Virginia Daily Press.

The traffic jams experienced Saturday were “completely unacceptable,” Kilpatrick said, explaining that the road work would be halted while a better plan is developed.

The simultaneous lane closures involved repaving and bridge grid deck replacement at the HRBT and JRB, respectively. Huge traffic jams were reported at the Interstate 664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, surface streets in Newport News and in Suffolk at the Godwin Bridge, on Route 17, where the city was conducting its own paving operation that closed one lane of the bridge with two opposing lanes.

About the Author

Deborah Whistler

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Uniting for Bold Solutions to Tackle Transportation’s Biggest Challenges

Over 300 leaders in transportation, logistics, and distribution gathered at Ignite 2024. From new products to innovative solutions, Ignite highlighted the importance of strong...

Seasonal Strategies for Maintaining a Safe & Efficient Fleet Year-Round

Prepare your fleet for every season! From winterizing vehicles to summer heat safety, our eBook covers essential strategies for year-round fleet safety. Download now to reduce...

Streamline Compliance, Ensure Safety and Maximize Driver's Time

Truck weight isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when considering operational efficiency, hours-of-service regulations, and safety ratings, but it can affect all three.

Improve Safety and Reduce Risk with Data from Route Scores

Route Scores help fleets navigate the risk factors they encounter in the lanes they travel, helping to keep costs down.