Hurricane Evacuation Guide

Bridge, Tunnel and Ferry Closures

With help from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and local governments, The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) developed guidelines to safely close area bridges and tunnels prior to the onset of a major storm.

These guidelines allow crews enough time to close and evacuate these structures before they become unsafe for travel.

Crews look at wind speeds, storm surge, rain bands and other conditions at each bridge and tunnel to decide if and when to close it. The following wind speeds, in combination with the factors previously listed, will force the closure of VDOT bridges and tunnels:

The Midtown Tunnel and Jamestown-Scotland Ferry will close when an approaching tropical storm or hurricane produces winds of 39 mph that are forecast to intensify.

The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, the James River Bridge, the Downtown Tunnel, the Coleman Bridge and the High Rise Bridge will close when an approaching tropical storm or hurricane produces 45 mph winds that are forecast to intensify.

Note: VDOT does not manage the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which connects Virginia Beach to Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is not an evacuation route.

For closure information, visit www.cbbt.com.

Bridges and tunnels are planned to close after an evacuation is complete and motorists are off the road and into safe shelters.

However, local conditions could dictate early closure of bridges and tunnels.

Tune to local television and radio broadcasts for the latest evacuation and facility closure information

Ready Virginia is a statewide public education effort to prepare Virginians for all hazards.

State agencies and nonprofit organizations active in disaster preparedness have collaborated to create educational materials and an interactive Web site to teach residents and businesses the basic steps toward preparedness:

• Get a kit
• Make a plan
• Stay informed

For information about how to prepare for all types of emergencies, visit ReadyVirginia.gov.