Va. bridge-tunnel tube’s closure snarls traffic

NORFOLK — Closure of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel’s westbound tube has created an 11-mile traffic jam on Interstate 664.
 
The Virginia Department of Transportation reported heavy congestion northbound on I-664 Thursday afternoon from Bowers Hill to the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. VDOT says traffic was backed up about 11 miles.
 
The agency says it closed the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel’s westbound tube at 6:30 a.m. Thursday because of a malfunctioning water main pump. About 4 inches of water seeped onto the road from one of the pump houses.
 
Crews are working to pump the water out and repair the pump system. VDOT says the westbound tube is expected to reopen before the evening rush hour.
 
VDOT says a power outage resulting from a storm Wednesday night may have caused the malfunction.