Ferry and Bus Service Expands While Berkley Bridge Repaired

NORFOLK, Va. – Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) announced Thursday that The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will sponsor expanded ferry and bus service for motorists crossing the Elizabeth River while travel lanes on the Berkley Bridge are closed for repairs.

VDOT will perform major renovations to the Berkley Bridge during four weekends from April 24, through June 6. The work will require the Berkley Bridge to be closed to traffic in one direction during each weekend from Friday at 8 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m.

To help alleviate congestion, HRT and VDOT have partnered to offer additional ferry service on the weekends between April 24 and May 16. To assist seasonal event attendees, HRT already provides enhanced ferry service from May 22, through June 6. The expanded services will help address peak demand on Saturday and Sunday while bridge repairs are underway.

Additional bus service hours will also be provided on Route 300 – the Portsmouth Loop. Currently, Route 300 runs Monday through Saturday. Service will be expanded during peak hours and Sunday service will be provided from April 24, through June 6.

On the weekends of April 23 and April 30 the Berkley Bridge west bound will close. People traveling to downtown Portsmouth from Norfolk can use the Waterside Garage and pick-up the ferry behind Waterside.

On the weekends of May 14 and June 4 the Berkley Bridge east bound will close. People commuting into downtown Norfolk can park at the Park and Sail lot at Court and Bart Streets in Portsmouth and use the Route 300 (Portsmouth Loop bus) to reach the ferry.

Fares for the ferry will apply during expanded service hours. VDOT will absorb the operational costs associated with the expanded bus and ferry service hours as part of an integrated traffic mitigation strategy for the project.

For more information on the bridge deck replacement project, visit www.virginiadot.org/projects/hamptonroads/berkley_bridge_grid_replacement_project.asp.

For more information about HRT services, visit www.gohrt.com.

For maritime information, visit: www.piersystem.com/go/doc/651/509047/&printerfriendly=1.

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