First New Tunnel Bored at HRBT

NORFOLK, Va. — Mary, the tunnel boring machine for the new Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion, completed the first new tunnel at the HRBT’s North Island Wednesday morning, marking a significant milestone for the project.

The completion of the first of two new tunnels is a crucial step forward for the $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion Project, considered the largest highway construction project in Virginia history.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Mary began work from the South Island in April of 2023, utilizing a process called boring to create the tunnel. Boring enlarges a hole that has already been drilled with a circular cross-section through the soil.

Construction on the expansion project started back in November of 2020, with Mary being implemented in 2022 with a price tag of $70 million.

This milestone comes just under three weeks after VDOT announced the expansion project is now 18-months behind schedule due to construction delays related to the complexity of the project, a VDOT spokesperson said.

The HRBT Expansion Project is expected to greatly alleviate traffic congestion in the Hampton Roads region, providing a much-needed solution for the area’s growing transportation needs. Once complete, the project will have a significant impact on the region’s infrastructure, making travel smoother and more efficient for commuters and travelers alike.