HAMPTON ROADS — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced that it is preparing to receive the tunnel boring machine for the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project.
VDOT has been working on the long-awaited HRBT expansion for some time now. A new milestone will be reached when “Mary,” the tunnel boring machine (TBM), is received. Jim Utterback, project director for the Expansion, said that team members are continuing to prepare the south island of the HRBT for receipt of the TBM. While there is no projected date released as to when the TBM will be received, Utterback said that more information will be released sometime this month.
Meanwhile, over 350 piles have been installed to create the foundation for the new marine bridges. Additionally, sound wall removal on the southside section of Interstate 64 (I-64) in Norfolk has begun and girders are started to be removed to demolish the Mallory Street Bridge in Hampton. As a result of both of these, travelers may be experiencing slow rolls, stoppages, and new traffic patterns along the highway. VDOT advises drivers to remain vigilant as to these changes.
For more information, please visit the website for the HRBT Expansion Project.
Pile driving for bridge widening at Oastes Creek (Courtesy of VDOT) Crews prepare to build a 4-foot thick concrete slab where components of the TBM will be assembled (Courtesy of VDOT) Quality control testing to ensure materials are within specifications (Courtesy of VDOT) Crews work on the capping beam at the TBM launch pit (Courtesy of VDOT) Progress of the expanded North Island (Courtesy of VDOT) Construction activity at the South Island to prepare for the arrival of the TBM (Courtesy of VDOT)
