![]() Crews are also completing further work on the following: bridge rehabilitation efforts under the Willoughby Bay, Mason Creek and Oastes Creek bridges, bridge and roadway widening projects, and landside widening work.He said in mid-January, the cutterhead was successfully “lowered into the launch pit and attached to the TBM,” and now, “with the cutterhead in place, assembly will continue until the on-site operations testing is possible.” After testing is completed, the TBM will be transported to the North Island. Teams are still working on assembling the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) located on South Island.He says the trestle will “temporarily carry traffic coming out of the eastbound tunnel so crews can begin demolition of the existing bridge.” Following that demolition, crews will continue pile driving for a permanent trestle. Construction crews finished final preparations ahead of a new, temporary South Island eastbound marine trestle. ![]() Utterback’s update provided the following details regarding the project’s progress thus far: He said that while the team working on the HRBT’s expansion had numerous achievements last year, he expects them to produce “even more impressive accomplishments” in 2023. Project Director Jim Utterback provided an update on the team's construction efforts. The project, which has a hefty price tag of nearly $4 billion, has been underway since October 2020. Another well coordinated challenging project completed by the Waco team in Newport News.2022 was a productive year for those working on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project. The 2017 project was started in May and substantial completion will be accomplished by November. Life jackets were continuously worn by all on board in order to adhere to all safety requirements while operating on the water. The working height of the ladders fluctuated with the daily tides. ![]() This jacketing system will protect the insulation and electrical tracing from water intrusion, and offers excellent corrosion resistance from salt and other chemical exposure.Īccess to the piping was a challenge and required the use of a 20 foot x 40 foot barge with securely mounted ladders. 030 PVC jacketing bonded with an adhesive welded seam. Over 3600 lineal feet of piping was insulated with 2.5 inch thick polyisocyanurate closed cell foam insulation, with. An electrical contractor was awarded a contract for the heat tracing installation and Waco was awarded the removal and replacement of the insulation. In order to replace the heat tracing, the old insulation had to be removed first, and new insulation installed after the heat tracing. The heat tracing, along with the insulation, are the main freeze protection components of the piping system. This heat tracing ran along the 8” diameter water main piping located underneath the bridge, between a man-made island and Hampton. A recent test demonstrated that electrical heat tracing needed to be replaced. ![]() A July 2009 water main break that flooded a portion of the tunnel resulted in a new plan of action, which required more frequent inspections of this critical piping. VDOT relies on quality contractors to make necessary repairs which, if not done properly, can result in major traffic issues. Maintaining the bridge tunnel infrastructure is no easy task. Thousands of feet of electrical cables and water piping cross just below the roadway and are an important link between Norfolk and Hampton. Vehicles are not the only things that traverse this bridge tunnel. This is a substantial increase from the 6,000 vehicles per day that crossed it when it was first opened in 1957. Over 90,000 vehicles make their way across the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel every day.
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