As we well know, it’s quite rare for government agencies to actually solicit the opinions of us lowly citizens.

Photo | VDOT

If you are one of the many, many people who damns the bridge lifts on your daily I-264/I-464 commute (and has seen a welcome difference these last couple months), this will be of interest to you: The Virginia Department of Transportation received a temporary deviation from the regulation of the Berkley Bridge, lasting from October 9, 2009 to March 9, 2010. During those months bridge lifts are not permitted during peak travel periods, from 5 am to 9 am, and from 3 pm to 7 pm, which may be why your blood pressure has decreased a tiny bit as of late.

“VDOT developed a formula based on the Texas Transportation Institute Methodology for the 2009 Urban Mobility Report to determine how much each bridge lift costs motorists in related delays,” states Dennis Heuer, VDOT Hampton Roads District Administrator. “We found that the average 15-minute Berkley Bridge opening can cost motorists over $22,000 in delays associated with lost time.”

“This is a lost time cost of $1.1 million per month because of unscheduled bridge lifts.  The temporary deviation offered by the Coast Guard saves not only time, but it also saves the citizens of Hampton Roads a significant amount of money,” Heuer explains.

The Coast Guard has also moved to make this a three-year deviation plan, allowing VDOT to schedule bridge lifts through October 5, 2012.

Many locals have recognized the impact on their commute, but these agencies need to hear from you to take this further action. Both VDOT and the US Coast Guard are seeking public comment on these restrictions. If support is not apparent from citizens, the current regulations could be “stopped at any time” according to a Coast Guard spokesman.

Comments are being solicited until December 8, 2009. You may make comments in the following manner:

• Take an online survey.
• Email Comments to: hamptonroadsinfo@vdot.virginia.gov.
• Mail Comments to: Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704