In December the Midtown Tunnel’s tide gate was installed to protect the new tunnel from severe weather impacts, and the final bulkhead was removed between the Norfolk approach and Element 11.

Tide gate installation

The gate,  arrived from the west coast in November and is similar to the tide gate at the existing Midtown Tunnel, it will remain out of sight for motorists. But will be lowered in order to protect the tunnel from tidal surge and flooding, during periods of severe weather. The gate is approximately the length and weight of a Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) bus and is equipped with enhanced emergency response and evacuation readiness features. Additional flood protection measures have been put in place at the Norfolk Approach for both the new and existing Midtown tunnels, which are designed to accommodate any future sea-level rise.

Final Bulkhead Removed

After sealing the joints between each element, the final bulkhead between Element 11 and the Norfolk Approach was removed at the beginning of the month, connecting all 11 parts without a barrier from the Portsmouth to Norfolk shorelines. The steel bulkhead was cut into three 8,000-pound sections and crews used a fork lift truck to support and remove the sections from the Norfolk Approach.

The new Midtown Tunnel, scheduled for completion in December 2016. Click here and us/92 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://www.driveert.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/12112015TideGateBulkheadRemoval_FINAL.pdf . 51/15.