Berkley Bridge starts scheduled lifts

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Traffic grinds to a halt everyday on the Berkeley Bridge like clockwork. Rows of cars inch along the interstate bridge. It's a short stretch of road that's frustrated drivers for a long time.

"Trying to get through any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. is impossible," lamented Kenneth Traynham.

The unpredictability of the bridge lifts have made traffic predictable at the Norfolk to Portsmouth crossing.

"It may be just one boat and you kind of think 'Golly!,'" said Tim Bentley. "Wouldn't it be nice if they just scheduled it and then all the boats could go through together?"

But the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says a new plan to lift the bridge on a schedule will alleviate some of the traffic. Instead of relying on maritime traffic to request a bridge opening, VDOT will now lift the drawbridge at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. The new schedule went into effect Monday morning.

But these lifts only happen if requested. More importantly for drivers, the bridge will not open during morning or afternoon rush hour.

"At least this time you can look at the schedule and say, 'Well if I go to lunch at this time it'll open after I finish,'" said Bentley.

The new plan is, for now, a temporary change that lasts until next spring. VDOT, working with the Coast Guard, is looking at making the change a three-year plan.

Some drivers are skeptical the new plan will relieve traffic but said they'd certainly be willing to try.