Latest news with #transportationDepartment
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As expansion continues, summer drivers to see new looks at Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
As the summer travel season picks up, visitors will have a much different view — and some different routes — at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel as a result of the ongoing expansion project. Traffic counts at the primary route between the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads have grown steadily ever since it opened in the 1950s. In 2011, for example, the state transportation department reported that on a daily basis, more than 44,000 vehicles used the artery each way, and projected that number to rise to about 56,000 by 2040. Last year, according to the department, roughly 100,000 vehicles used it daily during the tourism season, which begins on Memorial Day weekend. As the $4 billion project continues this summer, there will three primary traffic shifts that motorists will see, the two biggest of which will come in August. Early that month, motorists heading west on Interstate 64 between Willoughby Spit and the South Island and will be moved onto a temporary bridge to allow crews to demolish the existing bridge and continue construction of the new portion of the bridge, according to Ryan Banas, project director for the HRBT Expansion Project. In late August, eastbound I-64 traffic from the South Island to Willoughby Spit will be shifted onto the new eight-lane bridge which will allow for the demolition of portions of the existing eastbound structure and continue. However, only two of the future eight lanes will be open to traffic, Banas said. 'We'll only have two new lanes up there, it ultimately has the capacity for eight, but in our current staging of construction we're only going to have two new lanes up on that bridge,' Banas said. 'No additional capacity across the harbor until substantial completion, which for us is February 2027.' However, he added, opening this portion of the bridge to traffic will offer a great deal of shoulder width which will allow for easier management of incidents such as accidents and breakdowns — and therefore lessen congestion. 'By having those shoulders it allows us to get them out of an active lane and keep traffic moving through on the existing lanes that we have,' Banas said. 'I do think that will be very helpful for us in high volume situations where we don't have to worry about someone breaking down because they've been sitting in traffic because of congestion, and then that breakdown can just lead to even more exacerbated delays.' Starting around the end of this month, motorists on I-64 from Willoughby Spit down to Patrol Road will shift from the left edge of the eastbound roadway to the right edge, now only newly widened pavement, to allow crews to do more construction work in the median. As for the project's main feature, the new tunnels, the enormous tunnel drilling machine doing the bulk of the heavy lifting for the HRBT project, has completed 65% of the way through her second tunnel as of Friday. She's expected to complete it by September, several weeks faster than she completed the first leg of her journey, according to Banas. Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806,
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As expansion continues, summer drivers to see new looks at Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
As the summer travel season picks up, visitors will have a much different view — and some different routes — at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel as a result of the ongoing expansion project. Traffic counts at the primary route between the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads have grown steadily ever since it opened in the 1950s. In 2011, for example, the state transportation department reported that on a daily basis, more than 44,000 vehicles used the artery each way, and projected that number to rise to about 56,000 by 2040. Last year, according to the department, roughly 100,000 vehicles used it daily during the tourism season, which begins on Memorial Day weekend. As the $4 billion project continues this summer, there will three primary traffic shifts that motorists will see, the two biggest of which will come in August. Early that month, motorists heading west on Interstate 64 between Willoughby Spit and the South Island and will be moved onto a temporary bridge to allow crews to demolish the existing bridge and continue construction of the new portion of the bridge, according to Ryan Banas, project director for the HRBT Expansion Project. In late August, eastbound I-64 traffic from the South Island to Willoughby Spit will be shifted onto the new eight-lane bridge which will allow for the demolition of portions of the existing eastbound structure and continue. However, only two of the future eight lanes will be open to traffic, Banas said. 'We'll only have two new lanes up there, it ultimately has the capacity for eight, but in our current staging of construction we're only going to have two new lanes up on that bridge,' Banas said. 'No additional capacity across the harbor until substantial completion, which for us is February 2027.' However, he added, opening this portion of the bridge to traffic will offer a great deal of shoulder width which will allow for easier management of incidents such as accidents and breakdowns — and therefore lessen congestion. 'By having those shoulders it allows us to get them out of an active lane and keep traffic moving through on the existing lanes that we have,' Banas said. 'I do think that will be very helpful for us in high volume situations where we don't have to worry about someone breaking down because they've been sitting in traffic because of congestion, and then that breakdown can just lead to even more exacerbated delays.' Starting around the end of this month, motorists on I-64 from Willoughby Spit down to Patrol Road will shift from the left edge of the eastbound roadway to the right edge, now only newly widened pavement, to allow crews to do more construction work in the median. As for the project's main feature, the new tunnels, the enormous tunnel drilling machine doing the bulk of the heavy lifting for the HRBT project, has completed 65% of the way through her second tunnel as of Friday. She's expected to complete it by September, several weeks faster than she completed the first leg of her journey, according to Banas. Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806,
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Island Corridor Foundation says the E&N could once again move people and goods
Using the E&N Corridor to transport people and good is under consideration, with the potential to bring in "high-rail" bus service.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
When Calls The Heart star dies 'suddenly at home' at the age of 53
Nathaniel 'Nate' Pelletier of Hallmark's hit TV series When Calls The Heart - which stars Lori Loughlin and Jack Wagner - tragically passed away suddenly last month at the age of 53. The star - who appeared as a taxi driver in multiple episodes of the show - died at home. But he was best known as a member of the show's transportation department and was responsible for caring for and driving the show's old-fashioned vehicles. He passed away on April 11, in his home in Langley, British Columbia, per his obituary. Martin Cummins, who plays Henry Gowen in the show, shared an emotional tribute to his co-worker and friend. 'I just came back from a ride on the bike Gord and Nate put together for the girls and I'm taking shade in Mexico under the awning Nate helped me figure out in the woods near the old cabin,' he began. 'I have spent more hours at work sitting in the blue room, in silence or in conversation with Gord and Nate than I have standing on tape with the camera rolling,' he continued. 'Life is constantly changing. Things are never the same. The Valley will not be the same without Nathaniel Pelletier. He was a gentle soul and it was my honor to call him friend.' The series' production manager Mike Magnusson also shared a touching tribute. 'Nate was all heart, a true Unicorn, smashing every 14 hour day with a wide smile & endless cheer for all. 'He saw people, and was always there with a kind word. He leaves a void of spirit we will not be able to replace. Nate you were one of a kind, and we loved you. You will be sorely missed my friend.' The official Instagram account for When Calls the Hear also shared a tribute. 'The When Calls the Heart family is mourning the loss of a beloved family member, Nathaniel 'Nate' Pelletier…we know many #Hearties also had the privilege of meeting Nate at the Hearties Family Reunion. 'He loved interacting with the fans and he brought so much joy to the day…we're sending love to all who knew and loved him. He will be missed greatly.' Season 12 of the show finished airing earlier in 2025. It has officially been renewed for Season 13, but the cast has yet to return to filming for the new season which will hit tv screens sometime in 2026. Nate's obituary attempted to convey his whole life in a paragraph, pointing out that he was especially proud of his daughter, Myhrsades. 'He passed away suddenly on April 11, 2025 alone at home in Langley BC. He was only with us 53 short years but he touched many lives with his generosity and extraordinary work ethic. 'He was always there to lend a helping hand when needed and most times, before it was asked of him. He was charismatic and loved to meet new people, greeting them with his big smile and a warm hearty hand shake,' the obituary continued. 'Nathaniel's greatest love was his daughter Myhrsades (Murray) Jones of whom he was so proud. He loved to gift her with concert tickets to experience her favourite band or book travel tickets somewhere special. The obituary went on to share that he and his daughter shared a love of music. 'His second greatest love was his work and work-family (especially Gord, Trevor and Andrew-he fondly referred to as Pikachu) at When Calls the Heart filming location where he was fondly called Nate (N8).' It expressed how much he enjoyed working on set in different roles before going on to reveal that Nate ' loved to cook and bake cookies and bars, entertain his friends and family and wrote many poems in his ever so recognizable hand writing.' It concluded: 'His door was always open to all, young and old and I have often seen him giving a hug over his balcony rail.'
