NEWPORT NEWS, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – UPDATED: State Police say a vehicle is in the water from a two-vehicle crash early Monday morning on the southbound span of the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. The crash is causing major problems for drivers trying to get to the beaches this July 4 week, and as of 1:30pm the southbound backup was 2 miles with only the left lane open at the crash scene. Suffolk Police divers were able to locate the vehicle in the water but are unable to extricate it because of wind and current. Even though a lane is open, VDOT is still recommending alternate routes.

Traffic that needs to go between the Peninsula and Southside Hampton Roads has to use the often overly-congested Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel that connects I-64 over the James between Hampton and Norfolk. As of 1:30pm, the eastbound HRBT delay was 4 miles,

From Charlottesville heading to the beaches, an alternate is using I-64 east to I-295 south around Richmond and pick up Route 460 East in Prince George County. Then you’ll head toward Route 58 east in Suffolk to I-64.

Click here for 511Virginia information. The applicable traffic camera on the site is the south tower of the tunnel entrance I-664 MM 8.4/MMBT.

ORIGINAL:

Heading to the beach early this July 4th week is a problem with a major crash and possible vehicle in the water at the Monitor Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel. This is the bridge-tunnel system that connects I-664 across the James between Newport News and Suffolk. Traffic that needs to go between the Peninsula and Southside Hampton Roads has to use the often overly-congested Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel that connects I-64 over the James between Hampton and Norfolk. At 10:15AM, VDOT was showing a 5-mile backup eastbound, and 6.25 westbound. There is another alternate using Route 17 over the James River Bridge, but that takes about 45-minutes extra time.

State Police is working the crash, and boats are in the water looking for any submerged vehicle. Anyone heading in that direction is urged to delay travel or use alternate routes. From Charlottesville heading to the beaches, an alternate is using I-64 east to I-295 south around Richmond, and pick up Route 460 East in Prince George County. Then you’ll head toward Route 58 east in Suffolk to I-64.

Click here for 511Virginia information. The applicable traffic camera on the site is the south tower of the tunnel entrance I-664 MM 8.4/MMBT.