By Dave Foster

SUFFOLK

The Virginia Department of Transportation is receiving numerous calls from citizens saying they have heard the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or another of the region’s water crossings is scheduled to be closed in advance of or during the arrival of Hurricane Florence.

These rumors are not true.

VDOT has no plans at this time to close any of its major bridge or tunnel crossings, including the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and the James River Bridge.

VDOT closes bridges, ramps or roads only when there is imminent danger to public safety, such as high water, structural damage or downed trees and debris blocking the roadway. There are no set wind restrictions to vehicular traffic at any of the VDOT-operated bridges in Hampton Roads. Complete bridge information can be found at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hro-tunnel-default.asp. Information on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is not operated by VDOT, is at www.cbbt.com/hurricane-conditions/.

VDOT will communicate any plans to close a bridge or tunnel through local news outlets, 511Virginia and its own social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Nextdoor.

As a reminder, there will also be no reversal of the eastbound lanes of I-64 on the Peninsula.

Citizens are encouraged to limit travel during inclement weather and use the following tools provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation:

• Residents are reminded to report any problems such as flooding, downed trees, or road hazards to VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov.

• Statewide and local traffic conditions are available by calling 511,visiting www.511virginia.org or downloading the free mobile app at the 511 website.

Dave Foster is a spokesman for VDOT.