Hampton Roads Crossing Study Released

SUFFOLK – The Federal Highway Administration and Virginia Department of Transportation today released the results of a study of proposed improvements to Hampton Roads’ harbor crossings, including expansion of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and construction of additional crossings.

The release of the Hampton Roads Crossing Study Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement opens a 45-day public comment period on the results of the analysis. Two public hearings will be held in which people can review the alternatives under study, talk with VDOT representatives and provide feedback in person. Those hearings are:

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. September 7 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Drive in Hampton.
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. September 8 at the Quality Suites Lake Wright, 6280 Northampton Blvd. in Norfolk.

The Hampton Roads Crossing Study is considering four alternatives to improve transportation between South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula. Those alternatives include expanding the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, building connections between Route 164 in Portsmouth and I-564 in Norfolk, expanding I-664, and building a water crossing between I-564 and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board is expected to take formal action on a preferred alternative by the end of the year.

Public comment will be accepted until September 19. Comments can be made online atwww.hamptonroadscrossingstudy.org/comment, by email to HRCSSEIS@VDOT.Virginia.Gov or by mail to Scott Smizik, VDOT Project Manager, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219.

To learn more and to view the Draft SEIS, visit www.hamptonroadscrossingstudy.org. The website also lists locations where the public can view a printed copy of the document.