RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Tiffany Elliott Erbach 757-925-1660 tiffany.erbach@VDOT.virginia.gov Luefras Robinson 757-925-1516

HRO-0559 Sept. 13, 2005

VDOT TO TEST TIDE GATES AT HRBT AND MIDTOWN TUNNELS TONIGHT

VDOT TO TEST TIDE GATES AT HRBT AND MIDTOWN TUNNELS TONIGHT

Agency preparing area crews and tunnels for Ophelia

SUFFOLK— The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will test the tide gates at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and the Midtown Tunnel tonight beginning at 11 p.m. to ensure that all VDOT facilities and crews throughout Hampton Roads are prepared for possible tropical storm conditions. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during tests.

Motorists traveling through the HRBT or Midtown Tunnel during tests tonight can expect to be stopped for approximately 20 to 30 minutes as each tide gate is tested. At the HRBT, the four tide gates will be tested separately, beginning at 11 p.m. Please find below the testing schedule for tonight:

Midtown Tunnel

· 11 p.m. – All traffic will be stopped at the Midtown Tunnel to test the tide gate


Hampton Road Bridge Tunnel

· 11 p.m. – All eastbound traffic will be stopped to test Gate 1

· 12 a.m. – All westbound traffic will be stopped to test Gate 2

· 1 a.m. – All eastbound traffic will be stopped to test Gate 3

· 2 a.m. – All westbound traffic will be stopped to test Gate 4

VDOT is monitoring weather conditions and is in close communication with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. Using several models issued by these entities, VDOT does not currently expect winds from Tropical Storm Ophelia to reach the facility closure thresholds, however all crews have been mobilized and every precaution is being taken to prepare area facilities for possible inclement weather.

“This may turn out to be a non-event, but we want to take all of the proper precautions and make appropriate preparations,” said Dwayne K. Cook, Operations Manager for VDOT. “We are testing the flood gates to make sure they are functioning properly in concert with our personnel and equipment in the event of a disaster. It’s better to err on the side of caution. We’re taking this very seriously because we have a responsibility to the citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Last summer, VDOT worked with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and thelocalities in Hampton Roads to develop facility closure guidelines for all area bridges and
tunnels. The guidelines outline how VDOT will track environmental factors and communicate internally to safely close these facilities should they become dangerous for motorists or threatened by flooding. Facility closure timing will be based on winds, storm surge, rain bands and actual conditions at the facility. Area residents should already have evacuated to permanent shelter prior to arrival of conditions that would trigger the closure of these facilities.

During testing, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes such as the I-264 Downtown Tunnel and I-664 Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel during test tonight to avoid delays.

Visit www.VirginiaDOT.org for lane closure schedules or more information about VDOT’s Hampton Roads tunnel facilities.