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HRBT EXPANSION

HRBT Winter 2020 EXPANSION Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE

Full Steam Project Bird Economic Ahead Breaks Management Update 4 8 Ground 10 Plan 14 HRBT Message from Jim Utterback EXPANSION

TABLE OF A project of this magnitude can only be made possible CONTENTS through regional cooperation. We are proud to have reached a momentous milestone on October 29, 2020 Project Overview...... 3 when we held a groundbreaking event led by Update...... 4-5 Governor Ralph Northam, Secretary of Transportation

TBM Update...... 6-7 Shannon Valentine, VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich, as well as state and local leaders. As the largest View of new Groundbreaking Event...... 8-9 construction project in the history of the eight- superstructure. Bird Management...... 10-11 Commonwealth, this is the culmination of the vision and

Safety First...... 12 efforts of State and local leadership to alleviate one of the most congested corridors in the region. Staff Spotlight...... 13 The HRBT Expansion Project has made significant Economic Update...... 14 progress over the past few months. The project recently Community Update...... 15 received the necessary water quality and permits. VDOT issued a Notice to Proceed to Hampton Connector Partners (HRCP), which initiates full construction activities on the project. Crews continue PROJECT OVERVIEW Scan the above to prepare for the arrival of the Boring QR CODE (TBM) in 2021 and are working on expanding the New Concept Video Provides Glimpse existing North and South islands to accommodate the to view video. Of Finished Project  new twin . Additionally, crews are mobilizing

to begin work to widen the interstate in Norfolk We are getting a preview of what will eventually be the The existing trestle currently support two and Hampton. completed HRBT Expansion, thanks to a new concept of in each direction. The new superstructure will video, which showcases the finished project including support eight total lanes of traffic, four going in each As construction progresses during the COVID-19 roadways, bridges and tunnels. direction between and the HRBT South pandemic, we have had to change how we work and In addition to the future bridge work, tunnel Island. Building the new superstructure to the west of have added additional safety protocols in accordance and new lanes along I-64, you can also see the the existing trestle bridges will result in less impact to with CDC guidelines. This challenge has only reinforced configuration of the new structures that will replace the motorists, as the HRBT will remain open with two lanes our focus on safety, which remains our top priority. trestle bridges to the Willoughby shoreline in Norfolk. of traffic in each direction throughout construction. Through morning safety huddles, training and regularly scheduled meetings with first responders, safety is always first and foremost on the project. Our team is committed to delivering the HRBT Expansion IN THE WAVY-TV provides Project on time, on budget and safely. A Newsworthy Project an exclusive look into the HRBT Expansion Project. The HRBT Expansion Project has garnered dozens of James S. Utterback news stories and articles over the past six months. Click here to With so many milestones covered and more yet to watch the HRBT Expansion Project Director come over the next five years, these news stories 3-part series on provide the traveling public with a “behind-the- HRBTExpansion.org scenes” glimpse into fascinating aspects of the Commonwealth’s largest infrastructure.

2 HRBT EXPANSION MAGAZINE | Winter 2020 www.hrbtexpansion.org 3 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

HRBT 2 EXPANSION Full Speed Ahead On The HRBT

The HRBT Expansion Project Team is moving forward with construction, 1 Hydromill at work excavating following the receipt of three critical permits from the the TBM pit. Corps of (USACE), the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) 2 Drone photo of the South Island this summer. With permits in hand, VDOT issued a Notice to early work including future site of TBM shaft. Proceed (NTP) to Connector Partners (HRCP) in September, which signaled construction activities to begin 3 Setting endwall closing panel in throughout the full corridor. 1 3 excavated pit. Crews have been using marine construction 4 equipment, including three hydromills and a The bottom half of a 190-foot slurry processing plant, to excavate walls for reinforcing cage is lowered into the excavated pit to stabilize walls a 65-foot pit that will be used to launch being formed for the TBM shaft. the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). When the walls are complete, crews 5 assembly of equipment will be able to excavate the space 4 being used on South Island. inside the pit, which will be slightly longer than the length of a football 6 Cutter wheels of hydromill field. Recent work on a portion of machine. Willoughby Spit created a laydown 7 area for additional construction Multiple Concrete trucks at work to place material for TBM equipment, office space and pit walls. storage area. With a completion date in 5 6 November 2025, work will be happening simultaneously for the twin tunnels, new bridges and interstate widening. Crews are preparing for construction of a temporary trestle near the North Island and early roadway expansion work is underway to allow for the widening of two Norfolk bridges along the PREPARING A HOME FOR THE TBM corridor. Construction on existing highways and bridge structures Crews have been using three hydromill excavators and a is set to begin in early 2021. slurry processing plant to form walls for a pit which will eventually house the TBM.

The hydromills have been digging a line of deep, side-by-side When excavation of the pit is rectangular holes. The holes will be filled with concrete to form complete, the TBM will be underground walls. The walls form the outline of a triple-cell cofferdam assembled and launched from (or “tri-cell”, as it’s known on the job), which is longer than a football field. the site. The TBM is expected These walls will be up to 190 feet deep. To keep the hole open until to arrive from in 2021. the concrete is placed, the hydromills fill each excavation with a thick slurry as they dig. This slurry is pumped out when the concrete arrives and is then filtered and recycled for use in the next hole.

7 4 HRBT EXPANSION MAGAZINE | Winter 2020 www.hrbtexpansion.org 5 ATTENTION: ALL HAMPTON ROADS Tunnel Boring Machine MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS Naming Contest TBM UPDATE CALL FOR ENTRIES

Buildng the Machine The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), a finish boring from its starting point HRBT Help us Name the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) EXPANSION that will Construct the New Twin Tunnels! highly-specialized piece of equipment on the South Island, moving towards The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project will construct new twin two-lane tunnels, as well as widen Interstate 64 between Settlers Landing in Hampton and the I-564 in Norfolk. This is the largest transportation construction project in the history of HRBT the Commonwealth and presents a great opportunity for middle school designed to dig through soils and the North Island at the rate of up to EXPANSION students to learn about the and construction fields. First place winner will receive an award certificate and recognition, and the honor of this new Tunnel Boring Machine having the name you created! construct tunnel segments, is 50 feet per day. Upon reaching the Second and third place finalists will receive honorable mention certificates. For the complete list of contest rules, registration and details, please visit: www.HRBTExpansion.org/NameTheTBM. being manufactured in Germany. North Island, it will take four months FOR DETAILS CONTACT: [Name of Facilitator and Email] Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems, to turn the machine around before [Name of School] NAMING CONTEST DATES: Winner Announced Spring 2021 Oct. 12 - Nov. 13, 2020 HAVE FUN, GET CREATIVE AND BE IMAGINATIVE! a world-leader in mechanized it spends another year digging a Register by October 23, 2020 For more information, call Delceno Miles at 757-499-9627 or email [email protected] tunneling, is the parallel twin tunnel on its way back TBM for the project. In addition to to the South Island. customized specifications such as Crews are expected to run the diameter of the completed tunnel, machine six days a week, with Herrenknecht tailors the cutter head mulitple shifts per day. Each tunnel to accommodate the specific soil will be about 8,000 feet long, and the makeup along the tunnel’s path. deepest segments will be about Herrenknecht is expected to deliver 150 feet below the water’s surface. DID YOU KNOW? the TBM in Fall 2021. The machine That’s about 50 feet deeper than will then be assembled in a 65-foot the existing tunnels. pit on the South Island. The assembly The HRBT Expansion During active , the TBM will Project Team invited process will take four to six months. tunnel like an earthworm, cutting local middle school Tunneling is expected to begin in through soil and sediment while students to participate early 2022. The assembled TBM removing waste. It’s expected to in a naming contest will be four-stories tall, over 400- remove 1.2 million cubic yards of for the TBM. Names feet long, and weighs over 4,000 earth while boring. As the tunnel were judged based tons or eight-million pounds. For forms, the TBM simultaneously on creativity and the tie to the Hampton perspective, the TBM is the weight of installs concrete rings, like ten fully loaded Boeing 747s. Roads community, interlocking pieces, which form Commonwealth of The TBM will take about a year to the walls of the tunnel. Virginia, transportation, or engineering. Historically, naming a TBM has been thought to bring good luck to a project, and similar contests have occurred locally, across the United States, and internationally. Names were judged in December and will be announced in Spring 2021 when it is placed PHOTOS: (Left) A single bearing being on the TBM before constructed for the TBM in Germany. being shipped to the U.S. (Above) Front view of the TBM under construction.

6 HRBT EXPANSION MAGAZINE | Winter 2020 www.hrbtexpansion.org 7 2 GROUNDBREAKING EVENT VDOT Breaks Ground on the Largest Infrastructure Project in Virginia History

Governor Ralph Northam, VDOT administrators, and state and local leaders joined together while practicing social distancing to break ground on the HRBT Expansion Project on Oct. 29. “This is the largest project in our history, and it will ensure that people can move around faster, that commerce flows more easily, and that we finally connect the Peninsula and the Southside,” said Governor Northam. “This project will make everyone’s lives easier when it is completed.”

The HRBT Expansion Project is only the fourth roadway 1 project in the United States to use a bored tunnel approach. “VDOT is using this advanced boring for the first time ever,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “ This is the largest project in our “We’re doing it because this is one of the nation’s most important maritime channels, and this technology means history, and it will ensure that less disruption to military and commercial activity, and less people can move around faster, 3 impact on marine life.” that commerce flows more easily, Attendees, all wearing masks, gathered under the tent seated six feet apart to hear remarks from Gov. Northam, and that we finally connect the Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, Hampton Peninsula and the Southside.” Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) chair Linda Johnson, and mayors from the cities of Hampton Governor Ralph Northam and Norfolk before stepping outside the tent to ‘break ground’ near the tie-in point for the temporary trestle connecting to the North Island. In addition to the 50 attendees, hundreds of virtual attendees viewed the live streamed groundbreaking event from a distance. 4 5 The groundbreaking officially kicked off full construction activities for the HRBT Expansion Project. The project is a prime example of regional cooperation to provide solutions to the gridlock in the region. In addition to alleviating congestion for motorists, the completed project will benefit , the of Virginia, and the military—three critical industries in Hampton Roads. The expansion is projected to bolster the economic competitiveness in Hampton Roads with more than $4.6 billion in investments and an estimated 28,000 new jobs over the life of the project.

1 (FROM LEFT) HRBT Project Director, Jim Utterback; HRCP Project Executive, José Martin; President of Dragados USA, José Mendez; Governor Ralph Northam; Chairman of VINCI Construction LLC, Christian Tricoire; Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine; Sr. Vice President of Flatiron, Kevin Powell; VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich.

2 Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine kicks off the groundbreaking ceremony. 3 Governor Ralph Northam

tells attendees that for too long traffic in Hampton Roads has been bottlenecked at the tunnel. 4 Project Director Jim Utterback and VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking. 5 Congresswoman Elaine 6 Luria discusses project with VDOT Manager Paula Miller. 6 A view of the north trestle bridges from Hampton before the groundbreaking ceremony.

8 HRBT EXPANSION MAGAZINE | Winter 2020 www.hrbtexpansion.org 9 BIRD MANAGEMENT PLAN Migratory Birds Successfully Adapt To New HRBT EXPANSION Home Thanks To Coordinated Agency Efforts

An alternative location for nesting Thanks to the coordinated was necessary to prevent a decline in collaboration between various seabird population. With competition agencies, these migratory for available sites combined with the birds, which were used to potential of some birds moving to the nesting on the South Island mainland, where predators would of the HRBT, successfully pose a threat, a lack of an alternative spent the nesting season at site could have proven detrimental to nearby historic Fort Wool. the 2020 nesting season. “Through collaboration and “The use of herding dogs that are specially For several months, VDOT, Hampton cooperation between VDOT and Thanks to the combined efforts of state agencies trained to flush birds without making and HRCP, migratory birds were safely relocated Roads Connection Partners (HRCP) the Virginia Department of Game this past nesting season. and the Department of Wildlife and Inland Fisheries (now known contact is a humane and effective Resources (DWR) worked to safely as DWR), a plan to protect the birds approach that will help keep the birds For decades, thousands of seabirds relocate the birds nesting habitat. took flight. Fort Wool was prepped would come to occupy nearly every DWR prepared nearby Fort Wool, to take thousands of the feathery from nesting on the South Island.” inch of prime nesting territory at the which is closed to the public, to flocks. We came together to help Stephanie Boyles Griffin, Senior Scientist, Humane Society of the United States South Island of the Hampton Roads receive thousands of birds during the migratory birds nest safely as — Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) every spring. the spring and summer months. we deliver the largest transportation The South Island had supported the The agency removed vegetation project in Virginia’s history,” stated single largest seabird colony in all and spread sand and gravel, giving Shannon Valentine, Secretary of of Virginia including several species the birds the open ground habitat Transportation. designated as Species of Greatest they prefer. They also anchored The Bird Management Plan received Conservation Need in Virginia’s sand-covered barges in the bay, to support from Secretary Shannon Wildlife Action Plan. While these provide ample space for the birds. Valentine and Secretary of Natural seabirds spend much of their time From February to September, dog Resources Matt Strickler. either over open water or close to handlers and border collies safely coastlines, the South Island provided and humanely coaxed the migratory The plan will continue long-term a safe nesting ground for these flocks birds from the South Island to monitoring, passive control measures, to hatch their young each spring the neighboring nesting grounds. and plans to respond to future for decades. Stephanie Boyles Griffin, Senior nesting attempts, if necessary. These measures are expected to With the start of the HRBT Expansion Scientist with the Humane Society remain in place throughout the Project and the need for the South of the United States, says “The use life of the project. Island to be used as a staging area for of herding dogs that are specially the project’s construction equipment, trained to flush birds without making it became imperative for multiple contact is a humane and effective state agencies to come together approach that will help keep the birds to develop a successful plan to from nesting on the South Island.” humanely relocate the bird species that nest on the island each year.

10 HRBT EXPANSION MAGAZINE | Winter 2020 www.hrbtexpansion.org 11 SAFETY FIRST: AN ONGOING TEAM EFFORT STAFF SPOTLIGHT Safety In Numbers HRBT Expansion Project HRBT Team Ensures Coordination and EXPANSION with First Responders

Safety is the number one priority for VDOT and it Partners (HRCP) and VDOT established monthly is how the HRBT Expansion Project team starts meetings with first responders and administration Island Expansion Makes off each and every day – with a safety message. from the cities of Norfolk and Hampton to make Way For New Tunnels These messages range from reminders to them aware how project changes could affect use back-up lights and sound when operating emergency responses. The initial First Responders The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel was the , to reminders about using proper lifting Workshop was held in August, led by HRCP first tunnel ever built between two man- techniques. However, not all safety messages are Incident Management Coordinator Jeff Singleton simple reminders and some safety precautions and VDOT’s Incident Management Coordinator made islands. Those original islands have and practices take a concerted effort to make sure Jim Stanek along with fire, police and EMS from to be expanded in order to accommodate safety stays top of mind. both cities. The City of Hampton Fire Department the new twin tunnels. That’s where Todd services the North and South islands of the HRBT, Grifka and Xavier Billy come in. Meet the TODD GRIFKA Over the next five years, the HRBT Expansion as well as the tunnels and bridges. two individuals who are working to prepare Project landscape will continually change as Resident the South Island to receive the Tunnel project milestones are met and construction Emergency response planning includes the Boring Machine (TBM) and excavating With a background in geotechnical engineering, Todd works as the Resident progresses, and this could affect how first specific details of the project footprint, highlighted Engineer overseeing a team of field inspectors who monitor the quality of responders arrive on-scene when needed. areas with access capabilities, methods for the new twin tunnel approaches. As the the construction on the islands and tunnel approaches, as well as the TBM The HRBT Expansion team operates 24/7 with traffic management and ways to handle disabled Tunnel Approach Construction launch pit. Todd has a Bachelor’s in and a Master’s in several hundred employees onsite at any given or damaged vehicles. The project team also Manager for HRCP, Xavier Billy oversees Geotechnical Engineering. Todd previously worked on the construction of the new Midtown Tunnel between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. time. These employees work across various project coordinated site tours for first responders the work on the South Island to build the locations, including the islands, interstate, bridges and tabletop exercise conversations on how TBM launch pit and tunnel approaches. and newly formed construction sites in and out of various agencies would respond to specific Todd Grifka ensures that the work meets water. With a project of this size and complexity, scenarios. These interactive exercises will VDOT standards as outlined in the technical anything could become a safety hazard, and can put continue throughout the life of the project to requirements of the Contract in his role as many others at risk without a well-coordinated and ensure continued communications and regional the Resident Engineer supporting VDOT. well-communicated safety plan in place. cooperation. To help keep everyone abreast of site location As the HRBT Expansion Project grows, one thing While the tunneling won’t start until work and road access, Hampton Roads Connector will not change: Safety is our number one priority. 2022, there is much work to be done on the South Island to prepare for the TBM and the tunnel approaches. In addition The Norfolk Fire Department visited the South Island of the HRBT over the summer to learn how project to the excavation of the launch pit and activities may impact an emergency response. tunnel approaches, a quay dock is being constructed to receive the TBM. The project team also has to ensure the structural integrity of the soil, by testing and mixing XAVIER BILLY in other elements as needed to strengthen the soil to hold the weight of the TBM Tunnel Approach Structure and ultimately facilitate the tunnel Construction Manager boring process. The ground improvement Xavier manages the support of excavation work for the tunnel program is a critical part of the island approaches and TBM launch pit. Xavier worked as a combat engineer for the French army for over a decade prior to going preparation work. into construction management where he has overseen tunnel and roadway projects in France. Xavier has a degree in mechanical engineering.

12 HRBT EXPANSION MAGAZINE | Winter 2020 www.hrbtexpansion.org 13 z z

ECONOMIC IMPACT COVID-19 has made 2020 a COMMUNITY OUTREACH challenging year in many ways, An Opportunity to including changing the landscape of how community outreach Shine for REMSA Staying Connected is conducted. Hampton SWaM/DBE Firm Supports HRBT Expansion with the Community HRBT EXPANSION The HRBT Expansion Project Community, Connection, is poised to be a significant contributor to the economy Collaboration and COVID of the region. The project has established SWaM and DBE goals COVID-19 has made 2020 a to encourage participation and challenging year in many ways ensure that small and minority- REMSA comes in with their and has influenced the methods owned businesses also have array of specialized services. that communities use to connect the opportunity to work on the They provide site assessments, and collaborate. While current project. One local, SWaM and stream and wetlands pandemic restrictions do not DBE-certified business, REMSA, surveys and permitting, soil encourage in-person participation, Inc., has been able to shine remediation, HAZMAT surveys, HRBT Expansion team leaders a spotlight on their specific asbestos and lead surveying strive to keep stakeholders and the niche. REMSA, a Hampton, and reporting, and Corrective public informed through our web VA based company, stands presence, virtual meetings and Action Plans. They also to work on a large-scale for Research, Environmental, social . Thanks to community support coastal and marine infrastructure project that will and Management Support. interest, we have been able to update projects by training and provide REMSA with visibility REMSA provides environmental hundreds of citizens through virtual providing Marine Endangered in the and spur future consulting, technical, and staffing participation. Species Observers who work growth,” said chief operating services nationwide. Founded closely with contractors to find officer Bernard Zachary. VDOT project team leaders in 1986 by Ms. Rosetta Billups, a work balance that minimizes Through the SWaM traditionally meet in person at a REMSA has been recognized for impacts on protected species and DBE program, REMSA public location to share project their work around the National and ensures compliance with has been able to demonstrate presentations and answer questions Environmental Protection Act environmental regulations. their capabilities and will from all stakeholders. This will (NEPA), regulatory compliance, For the HRBT Expansion continue to contribute to resume as soon as it is responsibly endangered species management, Project, REMSA was the success of the HRBT possible. In the meantime, safety pollution prevention, and natural contracted to provide Expansion Project. requires the project team to conduct resource planning. updates on recent state and federal preservation efforts. Ongoing geotechnical services for soil outreach online. permits issued for the project, the community outreach efforts include A construction project in a marine sample analysis, and they also PHOTOS: (Top) REMSA provides marine In August, Project Director success of ongoing DBE/SWaM monthly newsletters. Our social environment presents specific, provided the Environmental mammal observation for the HRBT Jim Utterback led the quarterly outreach and engagement activities, media presence includes a HRBT unique challenges and must Phase I assessment of Expansion Project. (Above) REMSA works stakeholders committee meeting and highlights of the Tunnel Boring take environmental concerns Strawberry Banks. “This is a to minimize impacts to protected marine online, where Hampton Roads Expansion Project Facebook group that Machine (TBM) naming contest into consideration. This is where once-in-a-lifetime opportunity life such as the dolphins pictured here. Connector Partners (HRCP) Project encourages participation and a HRBT Executive José Martin Alos provided involving area middle schools. Expansion Project Twitter handle that an update on current construction Virtual meetings included updates on provides project updates. A dedicated operations as well as upcoming the TBM, anticipated traffic impacts project and regular podcasts Opportunities Abound work in the Fall. from the project, High-Occupancy offer continual construction updates More than 159 The HRBT Expansion Project continues to Committee members also received Toll (HOT) lane usage and wildlife and behind-the-scene insights. hold regular virtual outreach events to provide DBE/SWaM firms opportunities to DBE and SWaM firms interested contracted in working on the project. A virtual conference was WANT MORE UPDATES ON THE HRBT EXPANSION? held in October with Virginia’s leading decision Follow our new channels:

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For more details check out our makers, including Governor Ralph Northam. Brand Guidelines. over $92.2 million HRBTEXPANSION.ORG | #HRBTEXPANSION | @HRBTexpansion in contract awards Facebook.com/groups/HRBTExpansionProject

And we are excited to announce the launch of the updated website hrbtexpansion.org 

14 HRBT EXPANSION MAGAZINE | Winter 2020 www.hrbtexpansion.org 15 For more project details visit:

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