September 2024 Edition

Teamwork and collaboration are crucial to the success of the HRBT Expansion Project. Whether it be the support of local legislators to provide the framework to fund this colossal undertaking, local residents who brought thoughtful comments during the planning and design phases, or one of the thousands of individuals working on the project on a daily basis. We are at our best when we work together. Unity of purpose is what inspires us to drive forward in delivering world class infrastructure that is at the HRBT Expansion.

That same spirit of teamwork and collaboration was evident on Friday, September 13, 2024, when VDOT, HRCP, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC), Naval Station Norfolk, the City of Norfolk, and other project stakeholders came together to celebrate the opening of the HRBT Welcome Center. It will serve as an outreach center and collaboration space for our project team and Hampton Roads residents. Be on the lookout for how you can have the opportunity to visit the Welcome Center and learn about tunneling in Hampton Roads, the NASA engineer who inspired our tunnel boring machine’s name, sneak a peek at artifacts uncovered during construction, see and listen to the stories of the men and women who work to improve the corridor, and even take a picture with our very own HRBT-inspired “LOVE” sign!



Don’t forget you, too, are a member of our team. You can do your part by slowing down, putting down your phone, focusing on the road, and driving safe.

Ryan Banas

Project Director

Situated near the project corridor at 9401 4th View Street, the Welcome Center stands ready to open its doors to the public for educational opportunities for students, community meetings, off-site project meetings and much more. For now, the center will be open by appointment or request.

In anticipation of the center's fall 2024 opening, project staff were invited to share concepts for the project's very own LOVEworks sign earlier this spring. Now permanently anchored at the new information hub, the final display incorporates designs from both HRCP and VDOT personnel.

On Friday, September 13, representatives from the Navy, City of Norfolk, HRTAC, VDOT, HRCP and others who had a role in the Welcome Center’s launch got a sneak peek at the new facility. Also, present for the celebration were two of Mary Jackson’s grandchildren.

A special thanks to our design-builder, Hampton Roads Connector Partners (HRCP), who not only designed but fabricated and donated the letter "V" for the LOVE sign.

Mary The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has reached a new phase of construction to expand the HRBT. In early September, tunnel crews successfully lifted the fourth and final gantry out of the newly bored tunnel and onto North Island. Once Mary resumes boring, she will have only the first three gantries in tow, making space for the last gantry as the machine advances.

Although the cutterhead gets the most attention, the gantries are crucial to tunnel boring operation. Mary relies on her gantries to provide power, supplies, tunnel liners, and more while she bores.

Stay tuned for progress videos as the HRBT Expansion Project expands the transportation network at our region's most congested corridor.

Trestle crews might just have the best views of anyone on the project. Not only do they have a front row seat to the harbor and fascinating marine life, but they also get to witness the daily construction progress of HRBT's new marine trestles.

The beam launcher team has successfully set 7 of 14 spans of girders (91 girders total) for the new North Trestle westbound, marking notable progress over the last several weeks.

Following the permanent traffic shift from the old North Trestle eastbound to the new structure this past May, the HRCP team continues to prepare for demolition of the bridge span built in 1957.

VDOT staff gave kudos to HRCP's temporary South Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Westbound trestle crews and their foremen for the team's progress on driving pile for the foundation of Abutment A and for taking on the installation of utility supports underneath the trestle. Their proactive approach exemplified excellent teamwork and dedication to ensuring that progress continues smoothly.

Since the last video update, construction progress has remained steady across the HRBT Expansion Project corridor. Together, VDOT and HRCP have continued solving engineering challenges, celebrated more milestones, and recently launched the HRBT Expansion Project's Welcome Center.

Take a virtual tour of the project and see what's new from Mallory Street in Hampton to Patrol Road in Norfolk at hrbtexpansion.org/videos.

Site tours give our regional and industry partners a fascinating glimpse into the complexity of one of the state's most ambitious infrastructure projects!

September Visitors:

James City County leaders, including HRTAC board member Mike Hipple, received an up-close look at tunnel construction.

Hampton Roads Connector Partners (HRCP) welcomed students from Virginia Tech's geotechnical engineering program for an immersive learning experience about tunneling and HRBT's historic boring machine.

The HRBT Expansion Project is more than a tunnel project —it's a symbol of regional connectivity.

While construction crews work to expand roadway capacity along I-64, other project team members continue to inform the public about travel impacts and the great work happening to build quality infrastructure that will carry our region forward for decades to come.

The HRBT Expansion was a featured presentation for LEAD Peninsula's annual Transportation Day which introduces rising leaders to projects that help make the region run efficiently and prosper economically. 

Communications Director Paula Miller reconnected with City of Norfolk staff, residents, and business owners from the Ghent Task Force during the group's September meeting.

Operations Manager Bradley Weidenhammer joined members of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics next to Mary Jackson's plaque on the NACA & NASA Hall of Honor in Hampton.

 Small Town Dreams to Big Time Projects

Tony Gibson, VDOT Commercial Manager

With roots deeply planted in the old mining town of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, HRBT’s Tony Gibson is bringing his career journey full circle after HRBT more than 20 years of service to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Now Commercial Manager for the Expansion, this once small-town kid forged an unexpected path from an early passion for science to working on one of the largest tunneling and roadway projects in the nation.

When he set off for Penn State University just 100 miles away from his hometown, Tony had his sights set on a career in accounting but soon realized his explorative nature couldn’t be confined to a desk. Instead, he went the environmental science route in hopes of becoming a wetlands scientist.

After graduating, he relocated to the Eastern Shore where he accepted his first post-graduate position working for VDOT Hampton Roads District’s Environmental Division. Just two years after entering the world of transportation, Tony decided to explore his budding interest and pursue a master’s degree in Transportation, Policy, Operations and Logistics from George Mason University.

He's been a proud VDOT employee since. Over the past 23 years, Tony’s diverse range of experience has contributed to the district’s success in urban and environmental planning, reversible express lanes, in addition to being program manager for HRTAC.

Today, Tony is part of the leadership team for the HRBT Expansion Project, an undertaking that would have been considered a pipe dream at the start of his career. However, thanks to regional cooperation and the innovation of HRTAC and VDOT, the $3.9 billion project is well underway, poised to relieve one of the region's most heavily congested corridors, and is also inspiring innovative engineering solutions nationally and abroad. In reflecting on his current role, Tony finds pride in knowing that his work to manage the project's finances is critical to project success and in ensuring federal, state, and regional dollars are used responsibly.

In fact, among the recent milestones the team has celebrated, the achievement that he holds most dear is the opening of the project Welcome Center where community members will soon be invited to learn about the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion. He played an integral role in transforming the formerly vacant building into a vibrant and interactive space for learning and community engagement for all ages.

Outside of work, Tony has his hands full as a husband, dedicated sports dad of two, avid gardener, and part-time chef specializing in pizzas and smoked meats. All things his family has learned to love, and when they aren’t all gathered on the field, in the yard, or together in the kitchen, it's not uncommon to find the Gibson crew soaking up the sun at First Landing State Park.

HRBT Expansion Project Director Ryan Banas will be honored by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce with its 2024 Icon-Young Professional Leadership Award. Each year the Chamber recognizes a young Hampton Roads professional for excellence in their career and commitment to community service.

Also regarded as a pacesetter in their industry, the award recognizes the recipient’s “exceptional leadership in their business, community, civic and professional endeavors.” The Chamber considers Banas an “icon of servant leadership and professionalism for the next generation of regional leaders.”

Ryan will receive his award November 14 during the Chamber’s annual BRAVO Dinner in conjunction with the graduation of the LEAD757 Class of 2024.

In announcing the award, Chamber President Bryan Stephens said criteria for the award included Ryan’s recognition as a role model for the region.

VDOT Hampton Roads District Engineer Chris Hall remarked, “VDOT Hampton Roads is fortunate to have Ryan at the helm of this transformative and generational HRBT Expansion project. It is no surprise others recognize him as a role model for future generations. We congratulate Ryan for this most worthy recognition and thank the Hampton Roads Chamber for its leadership in promoting young leaders who are leaving their mark on the Hampton Roads region.”

LEARN ABOUT THE HAMPTON ROADS EXPRESS LANES NETWORK, NEW E-ZPASS OPTIONS, AND HOW HRTAC WILL BE USING TOLL REVENUE TO FUND CURRENT AND FUTURE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN THIS MONTH’S EPISODE OF HRBT’S TUNNEL TALK PODCAST.

(Left to Right) Paula Miller, Kevin Page, Chris Hall and Ryan Banas recording the September 2024 episode of HRBT Tunnel Talk Podcast.

In the September 2024 episode of the HRBT Expansion podcast, we’re excited to welcome back Kevin Page, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC). He last joined us on air in 2019 for the inaugural episode of HRBT Tunnel Talk Podcast, "Unlock the Gridlock."

This time, he is joined by Chris Hall, VDOT Hampton Roads District Engineer and HRBT Project Director Ryan Banas to delve deeper into the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) network.

This month's guests explain how the 45-mile HREL network is designed to ease congestion, enhance travel time reliability, and provide motorists with greater flexibility by using E-ZPass and E-ZPass Flex.

Catch the latest episode on hrbtexpansion.org/podcast, Apple or Spotify.

Do you still have questions about tolls and travel options in Hampton Roads, visit 64 Express Lanes for more information.

Travel Impacts to the HRBT:

As part of ongoing roadway and bridge widening construction for the first phase of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes Norfolk Segment (1A), VDOT has implemented multiple extended closures impacting the I-64 Reversible Express Lanes between I-264 and I-564. Motorists traveling in both directions on I-64 to and from the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel can expect significant impacts for the next several weeks. 

I-64 West:

The Reversible Express Lanes westbound exit ramp to the I-64 west mainline will be closed at the I-564 interchange, prohibiting all westbound Express Lanes traffic from exiting to the I-64 west general purpose lanes (toward the HRBT). As a result, all motorists traveling the westbound Reversible Express Lanes MUST exit to I-564 during this closure.



All westbound traffic on I-64 in Norfolk traveling to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) must use the mainline general purpose lanes during this closure

I-64 East:

The Reversible Express Lanes entrance ramp from the I-64 east general purpose lanes near Granby Street (exit 276) will be closed. All I-64 east traffic coming from the HRBT must remain in the general purpose lanes.  

Reversible Express Lanes, Both Directions:

A continuous single-lane closure will be in place for both directions of the Reversible Express Lanes between just west of Tidewater Drive (exit 277) and east of I-564/Granby Street (exit 276).

Additional short-term closures within the Reversible Express Lanes also remain ongoing during non-peak hours.

I-64 West to I-564 West Exit Ramp (toward Naval Station Norfolk):

Starting as early as Oct. 7, a continuous single-lane closure will be in place on the I-64 west general purpose lanes off-ramp to I-564 west for several weeks, reducing the ramp to a single-lane. Motorists traveling to I-564 during this closure have the choice to use the Reversible Express Lanes, which are temporarily toll-free for a limited time in the westbound direction, or the I-64 general purpose lanes.

While this closure is scheduled to overlap with the Express Lanes closures at this interchange for a few weeks, doing this work concurrently will allow the contractor to reduce the duration for the I-564 ramp lane reduction by nearly 10 weeks and minimize the overall duration of the traffic impacts at this interchange.

This construction work is weather and schedule-dependent; therefore, this schedule is subject to change.

Before hitting the road, motorists should use VDOT's free 511 Virginia traffic tools or the free 511-integrated Waze GPS app to check for the most up-to-date road and travel conditions. VDOT’s 511Virginia.org website and mobile app offer information about construction, traffic, incidents, and congestion, as well as access to traffic cameras, weather-related impacts and more.

For more information about this closure and other and construction-related travel news, visit 64expresslanes.org.