GETTING AROUND
FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND ALL THESE BRIDGES, TUNNELS AND BRIDGE-TUNNELS WILL BE A BREEZE
Transportation and traffic are perennial topics in Hampton Roads, a region laced with interstates and highways and dependent on a range of water crossings, from bridge-tunnels to drawbridges to ferries. The area also has two airports, rail transport and transit systems that include buses, a light-rail in Norfolk and ferries.
Roads, bridges and tunnels
The Virginia Department of Transportation maintains the region’s highways, bridges and tunnels. To monitor traffic, visit VDOT’s interactive website 511Virginia.org, call 511, or use the free VDOT 511 mobile app, available through app stores.
Interstate 64 is the Peninsula’s main traffic vein and sections clog quickly during morning and afternoon commutes, and in summer when visitors head to vacation destinations. The greatest bottleneck occurs at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, known as the HRBT, can be a quick, scenic trip from Hampton to Norfolk, but during commute hours and summer, it can be maddeningly slow. Electronic signs along I-64 alert drivers to delays and back-ups, suggesting alternate routes.
The Monitor-Merrimac Memorial
Bridge-Tunnel, on Interstate 664, can add about a 7-mile drive from the Peninsula to South Hampton Roads, but it’s usually smoother and less congested than the HRBT. Electronic signs on the interstates provide updates on congestion and travel times.
The James River Bridge connects the Peninsula and Isle of Wight County. The 4.5-mile lift-span bridge gets congested when there are crashes or scheduled bridge lifts.
The Coleman Bridge, a toll crossing, connects York and Gloucester counties via Route17. Northbound drivers with two axles must pay $2 to cross. Three axles pay $3, and four or more axles pay $4. The bridge has toll booths and E-Z Pass lanes. E-Z Pass users pay 85 cents.
Warwick Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue are the spines of Newport News, separated by train tracks. When I-64 is a mess, they provide alternate north-south routes.
U.S. Highway 17/J. Clyde Morris Boulevard/George Washington Memorial Highway is the commercial and commuter link from Isle of Wight County through Newport News to York and Gloucester counties.
Mercury Boulevard, or U.S. Highway 258, connects a large swath of the region before ending at the gates of Fort Monroe in Hampton. The roadway connects many key communities on the Peninsula, including Smithfield, Newport News and Hampton.
Route 134 is known as Magruder Boulevard in Hampton before turning into Hampton Highway at the York County line. This highway links suburban York County, NASA Langley, Langley Speedway and a number of companies in Hampton Roads Centre to I-64 to the south and U.S. 17 to the north.
U.S. Highway 460 runs west of the James River and is a nice alternative to Interstate 64 if you’re headed for Richmond and beyond.
The Downtown and Midtown tunnels cross the Elizabeth River, connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth, and tolls are charged on both. There are no booths. Tolls are collected via E-Z Pass transponder, online or by mailed invoices. For more information, see the Elizabeth River Crossings website: driveert.com.
Airports
Two airports serve the region: Newport News-Williamsburg International along Jefferson Avenue in Newport News, and Norfolk International, off Norview Avenue in Norfolk.
The Newport News airport, with two concourses, is served by American Airlines and Delta. Norfolk also has two concourses and is served by Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest, Frontier and United. For more information, visit the airport websites: flyphf.com and norfolkairport.com.
Amtrak
Amtrak has stations in Newport News, Norfolk and Williamsburg. The stations are located at 9304 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News, 468 N. Boundary St. in Williamsburg and 280 Park Ave. in Norfolk. Routes connect the Peninsula with Richmond, Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. For more information: 800-872-7245, amtrak.com or the mobile site: m.amtrak.com. Amtrak also has a free smart phone app available via app stores.
Buses, light rail, ferries
Hampton Roads Transit, or HRT, is a regional transportation service that offers rides by bus, light rail and ferry and includes paratransit service. The agency can be reached at 757-222-6100 or gohrt.com
HRT one-way adult rates for bus, light rail and ferry are $2. Go online or contact the agency to learn about discounted fares and multi-trip GoPasses. Riders 17 and younger and people with a valid HRT ADA Paratransit ID ride for free.
HRT’s Tide light rail system in Norfolk extends 7.4 miles from the Eastern Virginia Medical Center to Newtown Road. HRT’s Elizabeth River Ferry operates three 150passenger ferries on the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth.
HRT’s Max express buses from the Peninsula to the South Side cities are $4 one way and offer free wifi.
The Virginia Department of Transportation’s free Jamestown-Scotland Ferry connects James City and Surry counties 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 800-8233779 or go online virginiadot.org/travel/ ferry- jamestown.asp.
Greyhound has bus terminals in Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.
C a l l 8 0 0 -2 31-2222 o r g o o n l i n e greyhound.com.