Finding the best route across and under the water

Hampton Roads Crossing

If you’ve traveled through Hampton Roads, then chances are you’ve experienced delays at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT). Our team worked with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study to evaluate the best route options and is currently supporting environmental commitments and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System compliance.

As one of the largest project-level NEPA documents VDOT has undertaken, this study evaluated the environmental and cultural impacts of improvements to four study alternatives, 55 roadway miles and 89 bridges. Our team was responsible for the development of the Natural Resources Technical and Cultural Resources reports. As part of the NEPA process, we also performed conceptual tunnel design services for the HRBT as well as Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel, and new proposed tunnels under the Elizabeth River. We designed tunnel cross-sections for each of the study alternatives and produced cost estimates for tunnel fabrication, surveying, marine work, interior structural components, approaches, and dredging.

Once constructed, the project will relieve congestion at the HRBT while improving accessibility, transit, and emergency evacuation in Hampton Roads.