NORFOLK -- VDOT reports that Interstate roadways continue to be passable but access is still limited in many areas due to flooding on city streets and ramps.
The Victory Boulevard ramps on I-264 in Portsmouth are now open.
The following interstate ramps remain inaccessible due to high water on city streets and ramps:
64 EB to 15th View
264 EB to Frederick
264 EB to Effingham
264 EB to Tidewater Drive
264 EB to Waterside Drive/St. Paul’s Boulevard
64 EB at I-664 SB/Powhatan Parkway Interchange – single lane
64 WB to 15th View
64 WB to Military Highway- single lane
264 WB to Frederick
264 WB to City Hall
264 WB to Brambleton
264 WB to Campostella
264 WB to Waterside Drive/St. Paul’s Boulevard
264 WB to Victory Boulevard
664 SB to Terminal Avenue
64 EB to Mercury Boulevard (North)
I-64 East off ramp onto Mercury Boulevard North toward the Coliseum will remain closed through Friday morning rush hour. I-64 East off ramp onto Mercury Boulevard South toward the James River Bridge is open to traffic.
The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) reversible roadway has not been reversed due to power outages and continues in the eastbound direction. It is anticipated that the HOV reversible roadway may remain in the eastbound direction through the morning rush hour. An update will be available at 4 a.m.
Speeds have been reduced at most of the area bridges. Motorists should be alert for speed reductions. VDOT reports the following conditions at area bridges and tunnels:
Route 17 Coleman Bridge OPEN North and South
I-264 Downtown Tunnel/Berkley Bridge OPEN East and West
I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel OPEN East and West
1-64 High Rise Bridge OPEN East and West
I-664 Monitor-Merrimac MemorialBridge-Tunnel OPEN East and West
Route 17 James River Bridge CLOSED North and South through morning rush hour
The Route 17 James River Bridge will remain closed through Friday morning rush hour as tide waters on the Isle of Wight side of the bridge are still blocking the roadway. Motorists should anticipate the James River Bridge to remain closed until tides recede to a safe level. An alternate route is the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel.
Route 58 Midtown Tunnel CLOSED East and West through morning rush hour
The Midtown Tunnel will remain closed through Friday morning rush hour due to high tides that have not receded in the surrounding area. Motorists should anticipate the Midtown Tunnel to remain closed until tides recede to a safe level, and use the I-264 Downtown Tunnel as an alternate route.
Route 31 Jamestown Scotland Ferry SUSPENDED SERVICE through morning rush hour
Jamestown-Scotland Ferry service will remain suspended through Friday morning rush hour due to high tides and wind. Motorists should anticipate the ferry to remain closed until tides recede enough to allow ferry landing gear to safely mount the dock for automobile boarding. The suggested detour route from the Peninsula to the Southside is Route 5 West to the Judith Stewart Dresser Memorial Bridge in James City and Charles City Counties to Route 106/156 South. Motorists can then take the Benjamin Harrison Bridge to Route 10 East to Surry.
Safety of the traveling public and the security of our facilities is our primary concern. If water levels continue to rise we will need to re-evaluate the need to close the remaining tunnels if the tide levels threaten these critical facilities.
Additionally, Route 175 in Accomac County has been reopened to traffic as tides have receded to a safe travel level. The Causeway to Chincoteague was closed earlier due to flooding caused by high tides.
Motorists are encouraged to call 511 or listen to Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) 610 AM or call the Traffic Information Line at 757-361-3016 for current traffic and travel information.
