EB HRBT to close for road work

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - The eastbound lanes of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel will be closed during the overnight hours beginning Oct. 19.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says a paving project will require the eastbound lanes of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to be closed Oct. 19 - Oct. 21. The lanes will close at 9 p.m. Oct. 19 and will reopen at 9 a.m. Oct. 20.

The lanes will close again at 9 p.m. Oct. 20 and reopen at 9 a.m. Oct. 21. Finally, the lanes will close at 9 p.m. Oct. 21 and reopen at 4 a.m. Oct. 22.

Some Hampton Roads drivers are skeptical about the paving.

"[It's] probably one of the smoothest roads in the city alright. Take 264 to Virginia Beach. That's a bumpy road. That needs to get fixed. The tunnel doesn't need to get fixed. Waste of time, waste of money," said Mike Osypowski.

Lauren Hansen with VDOT says drivers will be detoured to the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel.  Hansen says a half-mile delay should be expected at the MMMBT until the work zone is cleared.

"We need to make sure we get this work done," Hansen said. "It's necessary work to keep the facility functioning properly but we needed to make sure we kept the motoring public happy as well."

The James River Bridge will remain open.