HRTPO action puts 'Alternative A modified' into long-range plan; city hears timeline and local impacts

The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization and its technical committee recently moved to include what staff called "Alternative A modified" in the long-range plan; Public Works Director Lehi Osbrook told the council the TPO action programs several projects for construction and additional study. Osbrook said the modified alternative includes work on the Hampton Roads Bridge–Tunnel and a series of peninsula and connector projects to be phased over coming years.

Osbrook described the timeline staff had been given: several peninsula segments programmed for 2018–2022; phases of congestion-interchange work targeted in 2019 and 2021; a high-rise bridge work phase expected to begin in 2020; construction completion of some segments projected around 2024; and larger connector projects and interchange work stretching into the 2030s. "It will include the widening of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel to 6 lanes," Osbrook said. He emphasized the study's work to minimize impacts within Hampton, noting the design is expected to largely remain within existing right-of-way and that most acquisition pressure would be concentrated around Strawberry Banks. Council members questioned whether homes or university property would be required; Osbrook and staff said the current cross sections and study work were intended to avoid direct impacts to Hampton University and the Phoebus historic district, but that final designs and VDOT decisions could affect outcomes.