Drivers crossing the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge can expect increased delays during bridge openings, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced last week.
VDOT alerted motorists and maritime traffic of the expected delays, which are due to mechanical issues and will require crews to perform additional procedures to open the bridge manually, extending wait times an additional 25 to 40 minutes.
According to Janelle Scott, Hampton Roads District Senior Communications Specialist for VDOT, during normal operations the Coleman Bridge opening process is automated and controlled by the bridge tender from the control house.
Until repairs are completed, all bridge openings now require additional staff to perform certain steps manually, including operating parts of the bridge directly from access points on the structure rather than remotely from the control house, she said.
For each opening, crews are manually adjusting and monitoring components to ensure they move properly to comp...