HRBT Among the Nation's Worst Bottlenecks

Subtitle:  Tell me Something I Don't Already Know

The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel has earned the dubious distinction as the 5th most congested traffic corridor in the country, only ranking behind roadways in two much larger urban areas, New York City and Atlanta.

The Texas Transportation Institute, an agency of Texas A&M University, identified 328 traffic corridors that were at least three miles long and had at least 10 hours of traffic congestion per week.  Those 328 corridors represent only six percent of the nation's  freeways but account for more than one-third of the traffic backups in the country.

The researchers found it takes five-times longer to get through the HRBT at rush hour than at off-peak hours.

As I have detailed previously, working early morning radio has its disadvantages, such as the early bedtimes and early alarm times, most of which are outweighed by the advantages.  One of those advantages is that I don't have to deal with rush hour traffic.  I am reminded of that fact every time I'm on ESPN Radio 94.1 reporting on a five-mile backup at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.

Links:
The report from the Texas Transportation Institute
Pilotonline.com's report

V-DOT Not Short of Options for Improving the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel

Another proposal for improving travel between the Peninsula and the Southside -- The Hampton Roads Mobility Group is proposing expanding the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel with four express lanes.  There would be a toll of $1.00 or $2.00 in the regular travel lanes and a premium toll for the express lanes.  Estimated cost:  3 to 4 billion dollars.  The Office of Transportation Public Private Partnership is expected to make recommendations on which of several proposals deserve further study by May 1st.

More Hampton Roads News

Pothole Blitz -- Governor Bob McDonnell has ordered a pothole blitz to repairs holes in the road from another severe winter.  The effort encourages drivers to report potholes to the Virginia Department of Transportation.  The public awareness campaign involves a V-DOT TV commercial starring pothole repairman "Phil Itkwick."  See the commercial here.

Bed Bugs Close Women's Shelter -- A women's shelter in James City County will need to replace all of its furniture because of an infestation of bed bugs.  Officials with Avalon: A Center for Women and Children tell the Virginia Gazette that the shelter is closed while the bugs are removed.  The center will now ban donations of used furniture.  More...

Hampton Roads a Top Tourist Destination -- Williamsburg and Virginia Beach have been named the nation's top two tourist destinations for families in Trip Advisor's inaugural Family Choice Awards for Great U.S. Destinations to Discover.  The rankings were based on traveler surveys.