Va. Completes Installation of Hurricane Gates on Highways

December 18, 2007

The last of the 440 hurricane evacuation gates between Norfolk and Richmond, Va. have been installed.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says the last 298 gates of the $8.7 million project finished a week early and on budget.

The candy cane-striped gates are along Interstate 64, Interstate 664 and Route 199. They block entrance and exit ramps to allow interstates to be reversed so all traffic can flow out of Hampton Roads in the event of a hurricane evacuation.

Officials say the gates also cut down on the number of workers needed to control the interstate ramps.

___

Information from: Daily Press, http://www.dailypress.com