Hampton Roads

[kes1111]

A fond farewell for the Rubber Duck in Norfolk

Norfolk, Va. (WTKR) – A crane delivered the giant yellow rubber ducky earlier this week along with its seven ton barge.
The forty foot inflatable duck is anchored at the Hague for everyone to see.

So why a duck? NewsChannel 3 asked the Dutch artist, Florentijn Hofman, behind it all.

“It was just a great idea to bring people to connect to each other via duck. It just says that all the waters in the world are a bathtub, it was that simple,” Hofman said.

The duck is all part of the celebration of the Chrysler Museum of Art reopening. You can check it out now until May 26th.

The artist creates ducks for most of his global commissions. Groups can own one of his ducks, but Hofman licenses any installations of his duck, said Bill Hennessey, director of the Chrysler Museum.

The “Rubber Duck” will have its West Coast premiere in August, but the Trust has announced no plans to exhibit the duck that was here, Hennessey said.

In the wake of the duck, another type of inflation occurred. The Chrysler Museum of Art, which hosted the duck’s appearance in the Hague, experienced record attendance.

On Saturday, 7,747 people walked into the newly renovated and expanded museum. That is the largest number of visitors for the museum since it opened in 1971.

During the 10-day period that Hofman’s creation was here, it lured about 40,000 people in to view the paintings, glass art and sculpture. “That’s about five times more than we would normally have during the same period,” Hennessey said.

In addition, the museum’s Facebook page, which typically garners 5,000 to 20,000 page views per week, also flew high. From the duck’s arrival through Monday, it registered more than 1.6 million views.

“The happiest thing for us,” Hennessey said, “a great many of the people who came to see the duck, also tried out the Chrysler Museum for the first time and seemed to have a wonderful time. So we’ve connected with a whole new audience that we hope will become regulars.”

 

[THREAD_CRITIC]

Thanks to all that buck wild shit, honkeys gentrified most of Norfolk, dog parks and white dudes jogging thru park place with pink tights

But there are parts of Park Place still fucked up

 

[THREAD_CRITIC]

Va Beach get that arena and the train might take it to that next class of city

 

[kes1111]

Norfolk, city treasurer served FBI subpoenas

Anthony Burfoot

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Is something suspicious going on within Norfolk City government? That’s the question under investigation by the federal government.

On Wednesday, 10 On Your Side learned a lot from an email Norfolk City Attorney Bernard Pishko sent to city council members on March 2. He wrote about subpoenas the city and a city official were sent by the FBI. It is important to note — no one has been charged.

The FBI is demanding documents from Norfolk City Treasurer Anthony Burfoot and his office about deals done with a construction company whose leader is now locked up. 10 On Your Side also learned the government wants records on two employees Burfoot hired after he won his election for treasurer’s office in 2013.

Burfoot told WAVY.com he has done nothing wrong and the FBI probe is a fact-gathering process to determine what the truth is.

FBI investigators also want the minutes from eight city council meetings between June 2008 and September 2011. WAVY.com was at the February 2011 meeting that investigators want to know about.

In that meeting, businessman Dwight Etheridge and his company, Tivest Development and Construction, won a 5-3 vote to approve the building of the Midtown Office Tower at Tidewater Drive and Virginia Beach Boulevard. The project’s viability was already under scrutiny. On that February 2011 night, Etheridge said, “I have worked my whole life to build my character, my integrity.”

The office tower was never built, and Etheridge ended up in prison for four years for his role in the Bank of the Commonwealth fraud case, which proved to be a tangled web of illegal activity.

Councilman Andrew Protogyrou voted against Etheridge’s project at that meeting. “There is a distraction that occurs, but keep in mind, any subpoena that is part of an investigation is examining what happened,” Protogyrou said.

At the time of that meeting, Burfoot was vice mayor. He voted with Etheridge.

The subpoena sent to Burfoot also demands the tax accounts of 11 companies with Etheridge’s Tivest in the corporate name, as well as information on how Burfoot, as city treasurer, auctions off delinquent properties.

10 On Your Side spoke with Burfoot in private. No cameras were allowed. We were led back to his office by Keith McNair, who was hired by Burfoot after Burfoot was elected. Here’s part of our Q & A with Burfoot:

Q: Have you done anything wrong?

A: No. I have done nothing wrong.

Q: Have you been contacted by federal investigators?

A: No.

Q: Why do investigators want to know about your two employees?

A: I have no idea. They have done nothing wrong.

This is all Burfoot would say on the record.

10 On Your Side also talked to Councilman Tommy Smigiel, who said he wasn’t a big fan of the Tivest deal from the beginning.

“There were lots of rumors flying around at the time of approval, which caused great concern for me, and ultimately led me to not support the project,” Smigiel said. “When the FBI is complete with their investigation, we will be able to have a better understanding of whether those rumors were true.”

All of this his happening at the same time the FBI has launched a new initiative to get the public’s help exposing public corruption.

During a Monday news conference about the initiative, FBI Special Agent in Charge John Adams told reporters, “Public officials who are trusted with authority are expected to serve their constituents with integrity and honor. Greed and self-interest have no place in public service.”

 

[kes1111]

 

[younggiftedandblack]

Born and raised in Norfolk. At 23 joined the military and I got the fuck out and never came back

The thing about Hampton Roads is, it should and could be a bigger metro area. But none of the cities like working together and change is slow to come.

 

[Complex]

The thing about Hampton Roads is, it should and could be a bigger metro area. But none of the cities like working together and change is slow to come.

Like the fucking light rail. Now all of a sudden va beach wants to do it. They should have been involved from the beginning to cut down on traffic and have that shit done all at once, but they wanted to keep tourist dollars in Va Beach.

They could have had some sort of sports franchise, but nope

 

[Aww Skeet Skeet!]

Like the fucking light rail. Now all of a sudden va beach wants to do it. They should have been involved from the beginning to cut down on traffic and have that shit done all at once, but they wanted to keep tourist dollars in Va Beach.

They could have had some sort of sports franchise, but nope

Shit is so ass backwards with the light rail. Part of it is racism (white fear of black people or codeword "the element"), part of it is, as was mentioned above, cities not working together.

I lived in va beach most of my life. The cops on the oceanfront are still assholes, the cost of living is increasing but decent paying jobs are hard to come by, and i-264 is a bumpy mess (unless it's been repaved recently). Also, I'll never understand how the city wants the beach to be family friendly after 9/10 pm. Lol@the no swearing ordinance.

 

[kes1111]

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It's the battle to see who rules Norfolk college football. ODU will host Norfolk State this Saturday. It's the third edition of this matchup.

The first time they met, ODU beat NSU in an FCS playoff game. They met again in the regular season in 2013 when the Monarchs pulled out a close one 27-24.

Old Dominion won their season opener at Eastern Michigan and head coach Bobby Wilder told us the cliche is true, teams make their biggest improvement between games one and two. He says that is especially true for young teams like ODU.

The Spartans suffered a lopsided loss in their opener to Rutgers. They open the season with three games against FBS schools.

After Pete Adrian retired, Latrell Scott took over as head coach for Norfolk State. Whereas Adrian made his name coaching defense, Scott is a more in tune with the offense.

Gametime is 7 pm Saturday at S.B. Ballard Stadium.

 

[kes1111]

650 layoffs announced at Norfolk Ship Repair

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – BAE Systems Ship Repair Norfolk has announced plans for layoffs.

A company spokesman told 10 On Your Side all employees were notified Monday. He said 650 people will be layed off effective November 20, 2015.

Company spokesman, Karl Johnson told 10 On Your Side’s Brandi Cummings over the phone, “We realize that this is a difficult choice and its going to be tough on our employees, on their families.”

Job Fair on Sept. 30

One employee shared the letter he received with WAVY.com, however, he did not want to be interviewed for our story.

“We’re providing employees with the opportunity to adjust to the news and to prepare themselves for what comes next in their careers,” Johnson said.

Of the announcement Johnson told Cummings, “If there is any silver lining here it’s the fact that we are going to be able to preserve six out of 10 jobs here after the layoff is completed.”

Johnson said the announcement is a result of a Navy decision to delay modernization programs and a decision to reduce the number of ships homeported in Norfolk.

He said over the last three years there has been a reduction of Navy ships in Norfolk.

“Obviously it’s certainly not a good day for not only those workers but for everybody here in Norfolk,” Chuck Rigney, Norfolk Economic Development Director said.

Prior to Monday’s announcement the City of Norfolk was planning a registered apprenticeship expo planned for next week.

It’s just one way the city plans to help get the hundreds of people with an uncertain future back on their feet.

Johnson told Cummings BAE systems hadn’t had a layoff since 2010. In addition to the 650 layoffs in Norfolk, the company also announced 200 layoffs in Jacksonville, Florida.
http://wavy.com/2015/09/21/650-layoffs-announced-at-norfolk-ship-repair/

Newport News Shipbuilding announces 480 layoffs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Newport News Shipbuilding announced layoffs Tuesday affecting 480 salaried workers.

President Matt Mulherin told employees in a letter that went out Tuesday morning that the job cuts were necessary to effectively control the company’s costs and manage its business during a decline in work.

In July, Mulherin told employees there will be more than 1,500 layoffs by the end of 2016. This is part of that number. In the letter, he said these would be the only layoffs this year. Because the number is less than 500, he said the layoffs did not require advance notice to the employees.

Document: July 2015 letter from Mulherin

The shipyard is providing 77 out of the 480 impacted employees hourly employment positions. That still leaves many in a bad spot.

WAVY.com spoke with one employee who got laid off Tuesday. Heather Scott told WAVY she was recently moved into what she thought was a more secure position with the company so she was very surprised when security escorted her out of the building. “Absolutely humiliating. They might as well put a scarlet letter on your chest and parade you all around.”

Heather said the company is providing a severance package, benefits and help finding a new job.

Newport News Shipbuilding is the nation’s only designer, builder and refueler of Navy aircraft carriers.

 

[kes1111]

Major tidal flooding expected through Monday

NORFOLK, Va (WVEC) -- Hampton Roads saw more tidal flooding on Saturday afternoon. Tides will continue to run extremely high through Monday.

Although Hurricane Joaquin is staying well offshore, strong northeast winds will continue to push water up against the coast causing tidal flooding. Tides will likely run the highest we have seen since Sandy.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect until Monday morning.

The combination of high water and high waves will result in beach erosion. Damage to docks and piers is likely in locations exposed to high water and wave action.

 

[kes1111]

 

[younggiftedandblack]

I was just back home a few weeks ago. Everything still looks and feels the same. Even though they've built up new stuff, the vibe throughout Norfolk never changes.

 

[kes1111]

Easy math on beach light rail

The Virginian-Pilot
© September 3, 2015
THE EQUATION doesn't even require algebra.

4 light rail cars + $3.2 million in savings + no risk = a no-brainer.

Under a proposal presented Tuesday to the Virginia Beach City Council, the Beach would benefit from a generous offer from the state - and piggyback on a rail-car order in Minneapolis - to get $20.4 million worth of light rail cars for $17.2 million.

The state would buy the four cars, with the understanding that Virginia Beach would pay back the money if the city votes next year to extend light rail to Town Center. If the city decides not to pursue light rail, those cars would become part of The Tide as Norfolk expands its rail line.

The proposal is the latest offer from Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne to remove obstacles to building a long-needed regional light rail system. Already, he has committed $155 million in state money to extend The Tide 3.1 miles from Newtown Road, the eastern terminus, to Town Center.

Layne, like several members of the Virginia Beach City Council, is frustrated by the exorbitant $327 million estimate Hampton Roads Transit has said it would take to build the line.

In a letter sent Tuesday to HRT CEO William Harrell, Layne asked for a detailed comparison of the costs estimated for Virginia Beach and what was incurred in building the line in Norfolk. He also said he's asked the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation for an independent review of HRT's estimates.

Why, he asked, did the estimate rise to $105 million per mile when HRT had earlier estimated the costs at $65 million per mile, and a private consortium had said it could build a 5-mile extension for $45 million per mile?

The estimate was based on engineering designs complete to only 5 percent and included significant contingencies. Once the designs are 30 percent complete - sometime next year - and developers have a chance to bid on the project, the city will know what it's facing.

Said Mayor Will Sessoms: "It must come in at a price that's fair to the taxpayer."

The council learned Tuesday that because no federal money would be involved, federal agencies would not oversee the project.

That means no additional environmental review for the line, which would run in an existing right-of-way. The city and state don't have to pay wages on the national scale dictated by the Davis-Bacon Act. And they don't have to comply with federal requirements to buy American products such as steel for the 34,000 linear feet of track.

 

[kes1111]

 

[kes1111]

Virginia Beach, Va. - The Virginia Beach City Council will move forward with efforts to extend light rail from Newtown Road to Town Center.
Council members voted on a Memorandum of Understanding and an authorization to purchase three light rail cars Tuesday.

The Memorandum of Understanding is a non-binding agreement that says the city is committed to the project.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board told the city they needed to commit to both prior to April 30 or else state funding could be withdrawn.

The state has set aside $155 million for the project, which is estimated to cost around $310 million.

The project is not a done deal, though. According to a city spokesperson, this is just the next step in the process.

Here's what happens next: Work will continue on design plans. They should be 30 percent complete by this fall, which will give officials a better idea how much an extension could cost. The current estimate of $310 million is based off design plans that were just 5 percent complete. After that, companies can start bidding on the project and around April, city council will vote on construction.

Meanwhile, people opposed to light rail are trying to get a referendum on the November ballot to put the issue in front of Virginia Beach voters.

The proposed question asks "Should City Council use local funds to bring light rail to Virginia Beach?"

A petition to get the referendum on the ballot was submitted to the Circuit Court last month. City Treasurer John Atkinson, who is leading the grass-roots group 'No Light Rail in Virginia Beach' says they had more than 32,000 signatures on the petition.

The city registrar's office is now in the process of verifying signatures.

The agreement city council voted on Tuesday would allow the city to cancel the contract to purchase light rail cars without monetary penalty if they make that decision before Dec. 2.

Virginia Beach isn't the only city where an extension is being considered.

While it's still in much earlier stages, HRT continues to look at the possibility of an extension to Naval Station Norfolk.

A corridor study was completed about a year ago which came up with two potential route options for high-capacity transit.

"One focused mainly on the east side of the city and one on the west side of the city. Each had a very different purpose," said Ray Amoruso, HRT's Chief Planning and Development Officer.

HRT officials say they're about to start the next phase - two studies which will look more closely into those routes.

"We anticipate putting both studies out between now and June for hiring consultant help," said Amoruso. The studies would start around July. One is expected to take two and a half to three years and the other twelve to eighteen months.

HRT will be briefing Norfolk City Council next Tuesday.

Light rail originally opened in Norfolk in 2011.

Here's a look at the total number of riders each year since then:

• FY 2012 - 1,530,543
• FY 2013 - 1,781,345
• FY 2014 - 1,531,606
• FY 2015- 1,394,640
• So far in FY 2016 - 994,315

HRT spokesperson Tom Holden says there are a number of factors that can drive people to or away from public transit. Holden says some of the factors that have caused a decline in ridership include dramatic declines in the cost of gasoline and there was a fare increase last year.

On the Peninsula, HRT is also looking at ways to improve transportation. They just started a corridor study similar to the one they did last year in Norfolk. It will look at different options in Hampton in Newport News, with the most likely mode of transportation considered bus rapid transit.

 

[kes1111]

Norfolk is the deadliest city in Hampton Roads

Norfolk, Va. - So far this year, Norfolk has been the deadliest city in Hampton Roads with the most number of murders, 33 to be exact. Nearly half of them are still unsolved.

"Just please pick up the phone," said Kimberly Bose, the mother of murdered Hampton University Student Joseph Bose. Her son's case is one of 15 that is still unsolved in the city of Norfolk. Norfolk police say detectives are working tirelessly to solve them.

"We do have an entire homicide unit as well as liaison units working around the clock to help solve these cases," said Norfolk Police Spokesperson Melinda Wray.

She says it's hard to solve these cases without the public's help.

"We can't do it alone," Wray added. "It's not possible. We have to have the public's help. We have to have those calls come in, those tips, every little bit helps."

She says Joseph Bose's murder is a perfect example.

"Twelve people saw something that night. The people there heard something that night. The gunshots aren't silent, they echo," she said. "But we didn't receive one phone call. Not one lead. That is just mind blowing."

Wray says that's what detectives have run into with 7 of their unsolved murders this year.

NewsChannel 3 looked at the numbers:

• Chesapeake
  • 2014 – 11 murders
  • 2015 – 12 murders
    • 8 unsolved
• Hampton
  • 2014 – 10 murders
  • 2015 – 15 murders
    • 5 unsolved
• Newport News
  • 2014 – 26 murders
  • 2015 – 25 murders
    • 14 unsolved
• Norfolk
  • 2014 – 30 murders
  • 2015 – 33 murders
    • 14 unsolved
• Virginia Beach
  • 2014 – 18 murders
  • 2015- 19 murders
    • 1 unsolved
• Suffolk
  • 2014 – 3 murders
  • 2015 – 2 murders
    • 1 unsolved
• Portsmouth
  • 2014 – 11 murders
  • 2015 – 25 murders
    • 9 unsolved

The Norfolk Police Chief is scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday to address the city's murder rates and talk about the unsolved crimes. NewsChannel 3 plans to be there.

 

[big pimp]

Norfolk is the deadliest city in Hampton Roads

Norfolk, Va. - So far this year, Norfolk has been the deadliest city in Hampton Roads with the most number of murders, 33 to be exact. Nearly half of them are still unsolved.

"Just please pick up the phone," said Kimberly Bose, the mother of murdered Hampton University Student Joseph Bose. Her son's case is one of 15 that is still unsolved in the city of Norfolk. Norfolk police say detectives are working tirelessly to solve them.

"We do have an entire homicide unit as well as liaison units working around the clock to help solve these cases," said Norfolk Police Spokesperson Melinda Wray.

She says it's hard to solve these cases without the public's help.

"We can't do it alone," Wray added. "It's not possible. We have to have the public's help. We have to have those calls come in, those tips, every little bit helps."

She says Joseph Bose's murder is a perfect example.

"Twelve people saw something that night. The people there heard something that night. The gunshots aren't silent, they echo," she said. "But we didn't receive one phone call. Not one lead. That is just mind blowing."

Wray says that's what detectives have run into with 7 of their unsolved murders this year.

NewsChannel 3 looked at the numbers:

• Chesapeake
  • 2014 – 11 murders
  • 2015 – 12 murders
    • 8 unsolved
• Hampton
  • 2014 – 10 murders
  • 2015 – 15 murders
    • 5 unsolved
• Newport News
  • 2014 – 26 murders
  • 2015 – 25 murders
    • 14 unsolved
• Norfolk
  • 2014 – 30 murders
  • 2015 – 33 murders
    • 14 unsolved
• Virginia Beach
  • 2014 – 18 murders
  • 2015- 19 murders
    • 1 unsolved
• Suffolk
  • 2014 – 3 murders
  • 2015 – 2 murders
    • 1 unsolved
• Portsmouth
  • 2014 – 11 murders
  • 2015 – 25 murders
    • 9 unsolved

The Norfolk Police Chief is scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday to address the city's murder rates and talk about the unsolved crimes. NewsChannel 3 plans to be there.

 

[kes1111]

Kenny Alexander will be the next Norfolk Mayor

NORFOLK, Va. -
Kenny Alexander, a state senator and Norfolk native, will become the city’s next mayor after a commanding victory Tuesday night.

Alexander, 49, will be the first African American to hold the position, a feat that many of his supporters described Tuesday night as historic.

“Together, we will build a greater Norfolk,” Alexander told a cheering crowd during a party in the lobby of the Wyndham Garden Norfolk Downtown.

Alexander beat out Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe and Norfolk Councilman Andy Protogyrou.

Both McCabe and Protogyrou conceded the race Tuesday night.

In a speech to supporters at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in downtown, Alexander said he'd be focused on the issues confronting the city, including reducing crime. "Tonight is not about me. It's about the thousands of Norfolk voters who went to the polls and cast their ballots for Kenneth Cooper Alexander," he said.

His speech focused on community members working together. He also thanked his family members and his staff.

"I want to congratulate all of you because we have a lot to celebrate because we ran a 100% positive campaign that emphasized bringing people together," Alexander said.

After the speech, Alexander refused to talk with reporters.

 

[DaAssWatcher]

As big as Virginia is and not one single sports franchise.

 

[kes1111]

ODU proposes 22,130-seat football stadium to be built without new student fees
Old Dominion’s Board of Visitors approved plans Thursday to build a $55 million, 22,130-seat football stadium that likely will open in 2019, and, surprisingly, would be paid for without increasing student fees.

The plan calls for a smaller seating capacity than preliminary estimates and will house just 2,000 more spectators than Foreman Field, the university’s current stadium. A 35,000-seat stadium was proposed four years ago, and with Virginia Tech, Virginia and Wake Forest slated to play in the new stadium, some alumni had called for 25,000 to 30,000 seats.

Although ODU is entering its third season as a Football Bowl Subdivision program, the stadium would be smaller than a pair of state Football Championship Subdivision schools: Norfolk State (28,088) and James Madison (25,000).

But David Harnage, ODU’s chief operating officer, told the Board of Visitors that the stadium could eventually be expanded to 30,000 seats, if ticket demand calls for it. After the presentation, ODU officials said the cost of building all 30,000 seats now would be $124.7 million, a price that officials say they can’t yet afford.

There is, as yet, no finance plan for the $69.7 million expansion and no timeline.

Full Article;http://pilotonline.com/sports/colle...cle_89d107e7-0c7a-5824-9bde-c777021c94cc.html

 

[slam]

As big as Virginia is and not one single sports franchise.

i think cuz we too close to DC ...this area full of skin fans... & if DC other franchises were any good they would b behind them too...

 

[DaAssWatcher]

i think cuz we too close to DC ...this area full of skin fans... & if DC other franchises were any good they would b behind them too...

Shit Baltimore is closer and the Ravens took off after decades with only a baseball team after Bullets and Colts left town.

 

[Kemo07]

I used to ride up there when I was in college when I got tired of being in NC just to pull a few Hampton and ODU joints. Some nice ones up there. Never partied there outside of the college parties.

 

[slam]

Shit Baltimore is closer and the Ravens took off after decades with only a baseball team after Bullets and Colts left town.

whats the population of B-more...could have something to do with it....

 

[THREAD_CRITIC]

ODU proposes 22,130-seat football stadium to be built without new student fees
Old Dominion’s Board of Visitors approved plans Thursday to build a $55 million, 22,130-seat football stadium that likely will open in 2019, and, surprisingly, would be paid for without increasing student fees.

The plan calls for a smaller seating capacity than preliminary estimates and will house just 2,000 more spectators than Foreman Field, the university’s current stadium. A 35,000-seat stadium was proposed four years ago, and with Virginia Tech, Virginia and Wake Forest slated to play in the new stadium, some alumni had called for 25,000 to 30,000 seats.

Although ODU is entering its third season as a Football Bowl Subdivision program, the stadium would be smaller than a pair of state Football Championship Subdivision schools: Norfolk State (28,088) and James Madison (25,000).

But David Harnage, ODU’s chief operating officer, told the Board of Visitors that the stadium could eventually be expanded to 30,000 seats, if ticket demand calls for it. After the presentation, ODU officials said the cost of building all 30,000 seats now would be $124.7 million, a price that officials say they can’t yet afford.

There is, as yet, no finance plan for the $69.7 million expansion and no timeline.

Full Article;http://pilotonline.com/sports/colle...cle_89d107e7-0c7a-5824-9bde-c777021c94cc.html

22K is a joke..for a program with so much potential

 

[THREAD_CRITIC]

As big as Virginia is and not one single sports franchise.

Hampton roads is the largest US market without a Pro Sports team

might be able to land an NHL or NBA team with this coming to VA beach

 

[kes1111]

One lane of new Midtown Tunnel to open today

Cars will drive under the Elizabeth River in a new Midtown Tunnel tube today, a once-in-a-generation event.

It’s the first time a new Norfolk-Portsmouth tube has opened under the river since the second Downtown Tunnel tube opened in 1987.

The first cars from Norfolk to Portsmouth will drive through the new tube shortly after an Elizabeth River Crossing news conference from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The new tube is opening several months ahead of schedule.

It was set for a December opening, but in May, ERC announced westbound traffic from Norfolk to Portsmouth in the existing Midtown Tunnel would shift into one lane of the new tunnel ahead of schedule.

The temporary measure will allow one lane of travel in each tunnel while work continues in the opposite lane of each tunnel.

Both lanes of the new tube are expected to open in late August.

The tube has plenty of upgrades: brighter LED lighting, better fire protection, new jet fans that blow smoke out of the tunnel, automated alert systems and higher-quality cameras.

Rehabilitation of the old tunnel is set to begin sooner, too: this weekend.

The eastbound tube will be closed starting at 8 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday. The old tunnel’s ceiling will be removed and concrete will be poured on the Elizabeth River Trail bridge deck above the eastbound tunnel.

U.S. 58 East traffic will detour to the Interstate 264 East Downtown Tunnel. Drivers traveling from Norfolk to Portsmouth will use the new U.S. 58 West Midtown Tunnel to cross the Elizabeth River and will not require a detour.

Portsmouth-to-Norfolk drivers should get ready for full weekend closures of the eastbound Midtown Tunnel throughout 2016 and into 2017. The old tunnel rehab is tentatively scheduled for August 2017 completion, according to ERC disclosure filing, but it could take up to May 2018.

 

[kes1111]

Three Men Gunned Down During Facebook Live video of Berkley shooting.
A shooting that was apparently captured during a Facebook Live video left three men in the hospital — including two with life-threatening injuries, police said.

Video uploaded by Facebook user TJ Willams showed three men sitting in a car listening to music and smoking until gunfire is suddenly heard and the phone is dropped.

About 30 gunshots are audible on the video, which continues with the sound of passers-by calling 911 and comforting the victims.

Police in Norfolk, Virginia, said three men were shot at about 6 p.m. Tuesday in the suburb of Berkley.

"Upon arrival, officers located three men inside a vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds," the police department said in an update. "All three men, ages 27 and 29, were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with significant injuries."

In a later update, police said two of the men had life-threatening injuries.

 

[kes1111]

whats the population of B-more...could have something to do with it....

Baltimore had a population of 621,849 in 2015

 

[DWBass]

As big as Virginia is and not one single sports franchise.

Traffic is a huge problem here in Hampton Roads. A major NFL or NBA franchise would literally shut this place down during home games. You think traffic is bad now! As for other parts of Virginia......maybe Richmond? Or western Virginia? Nah, nothing great about western VA except country living. Don't we have a Hockey team here? We have a minor league baseball team and a nice baseball stadium.

 

[DaAssWatcher]

Traffic is a huge problem here in Hampton Roads. A major NFL or NBA franchise would literally shut this place down during home games. You think traffic is bad now! As for other parts of Virginia......maybe Richmond? Or western Virginia? Nah, nothing great about western VA except country living. Don't we have a Hockey team here? We have a minor league baseball team and a nice baseball stadium.

I thought only traffic was shitty in N.Va didn't realize it was like that down there as well.

 

[DWBass]

I thought only traffic was shitty in N.Va didn't realize it was like that down there as well.

I should clarify.......tunnel traffic. I'm about to start a job in Norfolk and I live in Newport News. I'm already fretting about having to leave an 1-1/2 early to make sure I get to work on time in the morning. There's always a stand still of some sort and if you're pressed for time, you're fucked!

 

[slam]

rain eased up a lil...i`m in the beach..no flooding where i`m at....

 

[big pimp]

Hampton roads is a shit hole.