FAQs > What to Expect

When will the new tunnel be open?

Construction will take 3-4 years once a final agreement is reached with the Commonwealth.

Will construction impact my commute?

For commuters, there will be little impact during construction because construction will be isolated from current travel lanes, and improvements to existing tunnels will be made at night.

What impact will there be on the community and local streets during construction?

Impacts to the Elizabeth River will be minimal, and all impacts will be mitigated in accordance with strict state and federal law. Plum Point Park will be maintained throughout construction, as will the Elizabeth River Trail. Since we anticipate receiving the bulk of our equipment by barge, the impact of truck traffic on Hampton Boulevard, which is already limited by City regulations, will be minimal. Current plans call for minor changes to the Norfolk approach, and virtually no impact on the Portsmouth approach. Further during pre-construction, operations and throughout its responsibility for the facilities, ERC will be working closely with VDOT and local governments to minimize any impact to local streets.

What impact on the environment will the project have?

ERC takes environmental concerns very seriously. The project will follow strict regulations for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Virginia and will be developed under ISO 14001 environmentally sustainable business standards. Additionally, Skanska will employ its rigorous Environmental Management System; which helped it be named the #1 Green Contractor in the US by the leading construction magazine Engineering News-Record.

Further, reduced congestion will reduce auto emissions and should help improve regional air quality.

Will the project impact the area’s historic cemeteries?

There will not be any impact, including Mount Calvary and Potter’s Field.

What happens to existing employees?

ERC recognizes that on-going operations and maintenance of the Project requires continuous use of local employees. There is a wealth of experience with current employees that ERC would be happy to build on.