Roads chief says tunnel closure represented major breakdown
Published: July 10, 2009
Updated: July 10, 2009
SUFFOLK — Virginia’s transportation chief says the July 2 closure of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel’s westbound tube because of flooding was a serious breakdown of the state’s transportation system.
Virginia Department of Transportation Commissioner David S. Ekern says his agency is reviewing the incident and will develop a plan to prevent future incidents.
Preliminary findings released Friday by VDOT show a 52-year-old water main burst and the problem went undetected for eight hours. Underground ducts filled with about 2 million gallons of water that overwhelmed a pumping system intended to removed rainwater.
Water pooled on the road surface and VDOT shut down the westbound tube.
The closure caused massive traffic backups across the region and prompted worries of whether the area could be safely evacuated in an emergency.
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Reader Reactions
I want to know who’s responsible for all the flights and trains, etc. people missed for their holiday. Are there not routine inspections? What a disaster!!!!
that area is already horrible with people commuting to and from work. imagine if EVERYONE took to the roads. it will be straight out of Deep Impact.
The closure caused massive traffic backups across the region and prompted worries of whether the area could be safely evacuated in an emergency.
Oh, I can settle that for you. That area most certainly can NOT be evacuated in an emergency. The only areas which can, are landlocked. It’s a matter of geography, oh well.
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