HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Question: Have you ever been stuck at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel?

If the answer is yes, then this story is for you.

It has been five years since work began on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, and crews have another 19 months to go.

According to some experts, this could be the most important road project in Hampton Roads, and perhaps, all of Virginia. Certainly, it’s a gamechanger.

The first thing to report is the progress of the project, confirming a completion date.

“Our substantial completion date remains to be February 2027,” said Ryan Banas, project director for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project, “and substantial completion means beneficial use of the facility, so that means four lanes in either direction.”  

Mary the Boring Machine

April 17, 2024, was the last time we saw Mary the Boring Machine’s face. After turning around, Mary is now 75% through her second mining mission.

“That is our goal in September 2025 to be complete,” Banas said. “There’s mining, and that means a lot of unknowns on the ground, but that is our objective.” 

Traffic shifts

Traffic will shift westbound traffic onto the new temporary bridges after the July 4 weekend.  

“That temporary bridge will shift traffic over, which allows us to reconstruct and demolish the existing west bound lanes entering South Island,” Banas said.

He noted that there are plans to recycle the old bridge.

“Many pieces of the existing trestles, we are working with the Virginia Marine Resource Commission to repurpose them as artificial reefs throughout the Hampton Roads Harbor, something we’re really excited about,” Banas said.

Remember that big mega trestle with eight lanes 10 On Your Side reported on in May? Two of the lanes will open in the fall of the year. Does fall mean September?

“If our target is September, well that is part of fall, so that would jive,” he said, laughing.

New lanes have already opened between Bay Avenue and Mason Creek. Here’s why Banas thinks that’s important.

“it’s important … because a lot of folks didn’t even notice, which, that’s great for us,” Banas said. “That means we’re doing our job.” 

Holiday driving advice

Banas has this advice for folks driving this holiday weekend.

“The one thing that we can’t overlook, and we’ve been seeing it for the last few days, is the traffic here,” Banas said. “Traffic is really heavy as we hit peak tourist season, … so please, just remind folks, slow down, focus on the road, put down your food, drive safely [and] pack your patience so we can all enjoy Hampton Roads together.”