Weekend bridge closures at HRBT and JRB

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - The Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel is the only way to get from the Peninsula to the Southside this weekend because of closures at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and the James River Bridge .

"It's going to be gridlock," said Michael Snider, who uses a bridge to commute to work. "Absolute gridlock."

Starting at 9 p.m. Friday, the eastbound lanes of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, which is also I-64 East, will be closed. At the same time, the southbound lanes of the James River Bridge will also close. Neither route will reopen until Monday at 5 a.m..

Drivers say they are expecting hours-long delays at the MMMBT this weekend. Many wonder why VDOT scheduled two closures at the same time. VDOT District Construction Engineer Mike Davis says that was not the original plan.

"The HRBT was originally scheduled to start paving before Memorial Day weekend," said Davis. "There was basically an outcry coming through. We had the commissioner, secretary of transportation, and VDOT, as a whole, looking at it.  We said lets postpone this until after the tourist season."

At the same time, the James River Bridge project is running ahead of schedule. Materials needed to repair the decking arrived early.

"They actually procured the material quicker and they're here, ready to start," said Davis. "We don't want to stop that. It's critical to get the decking replaced."

VDOT's recommends drivers plan ahead and keep trips to the Southside at a minimum. Driver Marsella Rogers says she's not leaving the house.

"I'm going to do my laundry, drink wine and hang out with my dog," said Rogers.

This weekend's closures are the beginning of weekend road work, which is listed below: 

Additionally, the I-64 eastbound lanes will be closed the following weekends:

• Friday, Sept. 21 starting at 9 p.m. and lasting through Monday, Sept. 24 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, Sept. 28 starting at 9 p.m. and lasting through Monday, Oct. 1 at 5 a.m.

The James River Bridge southbound lanes will close for five consecutive weekends starting Friday, Sept. 14. VDOT says motorists are advised to use the MMMBT as an alternate route.

• Friday, Sept. 14 starting at 9 p.m. and lasting through Monday, Sept. 17 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, Sept. 21 starting at 9 p.m. and lasting through Monday, Sept. 24 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, Sept. 28 starting at 9 p.m. and lasting through Monday, Oct. 1 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, Oct. 5 starting at 9 p.m. and lasting through Monday, Oct. 8 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, Oct. 12 starting at 9 p.m. and lasting through Monday, Oct. 15 at 5 a.m.