Midtown Tunnel remains closed for morning commute

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.