Midtown tunnel flood gate testing

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Department of Transportation tested the Midtown Tunnel flood gates overnight Wednesday into Thursday. It's all part of Hurricane Earl preparations.

VDOT workers say they want to avoid what happened in 2003 when Hurricane Isabel hit. That's when the midtown tunnel flooded with 66-million gallons of rain and river water.

"Everything down here was shut down for up to three weeks, even afterward and the tunnel was down for quite awhile," says Jonathan Koch of Norfolk.

VDOT spokesperson Nora Chivers explained to WAVY.com exactly what the testing does.

"Just check the mechanical systems to make sure it lowers properly and it raises properly."

Chivers says they've even installed temporary pumps because of what they've learned in the past.

"Rainwater can accumulate in what we call the cut, which is the area between the gate closure and the incline of the road, so that water will accumulate there. If we get it pumping right away, we can open the tunnel sooner."

It's that kind of work and proactive thinking that makes many who travel through the midtown tunnel a little more at ease with the incoming storm.

"I'm glad the city is preparing better for this storm than they did the last one," says Lauren Rodgers of Norfolk.

"Let's us know that there are people thinking about things in advance and are willing to do the work and spend the money, take the time to be prepared for, even in the off chance, that we might get hit by the hurricane," says Koch.

We won't know until later Thursday morning how the flood gate testing at the midtown went, but as soon as we get that information, we'll pass it along to you.