NORFOLK, Va. - The new U.S. 58 Midtown Tunnel construction project is months ahead of schedule and the new tube should open in the early part of the summer, according to Elizabeth River Tunnels.
ERT says the project's design-build partner, SKW Constructors, has made significant progress in completing the new tunnel because there weren't many hiccups. "On a $1.5 billion project, all sorts of things can go wrong," said Dan Norman, the construction director for Elizabeth River Crossings. "Almost four years after the construction began, I think it's a huge testament of the efforts that went in."
The new tube will create two lanes in each direction. "Delivery of this project is going to improve commuters' daily lives," said Norman. "I think anyone who uses the Midtown Tunnel now understands the two lane configuration is not ideal."
The original expected date of completion was December. Because they are ahead, builders say they are also able to work on the rehabilitation of the existing Midtown Tunnel sooner than expected.
To complete the remaining work on the new tunnel and start on the rehab of the current tunnel, the westbound lane of traffic in the existing tunnel will shift to one lane of the new tunnel. This new traffic pattern will allow one lane of travel in each tunnel while work is ongoing in the other lane.
Officials with Elizabeth River Tunnels say the shift could happen within the next month or two, while the new Midtown is expected to open completely by the end of the summer.
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