The Virginia Department of Transportation has been getting numerous calls from residents saying they have heard the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or another of the region’s water crossings is scheduled to be closed in response to Hurricane Florence.
Well, that’s “fake news.”
VDOT has no plans at this time to close any of its major bridge or tunnel crossings, including the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and the James River Bridge, according to the department.
“We appreciate your assistance in clarifying this important point with the public,” VDOT officials wrote in a news release.
VDOT closes bridges, ramps or roads only when there is imminent danger to public safety such as high water, structural damage or downed trees and debris blocking the roadway.
There are no set wind restrictions to vehicular traffic at any of the VDOT-operated bridges in Hampton Roads. Complete bridge information can be found here.
(Information on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is not operated by VDOT, is here.)
VDOT will communicate any plans to close a bridge or tunnel through local news outlets, 511Virginia and its own social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Nextdoor.
VDOT also isn’t planning to reverse the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 on the Peninsula.
Motorists are encouraged to limit travel during inclement weather and use the following tools provided by VDOT:
- Residents are reminded to report any problems such as flooding, downed trees, or road hazards to VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or by visiting vdot.virginia.gov.
- Statewide and local traffic conditions are available by calling 511,visiting 511virginia.org or downloading the free mobile app at the 511 website.
