THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 9, 1996 TAG: 9609070003
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 50 lines
This letter is in response to ``Stuck in traffic'' (Sept. 3 letter) by Dana Hammond of Virginia Beach about her being stuck in Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel traffic for two hours.
On the particular day she referenced, there were many reasons for delays. There was a major accident westbound on the Hampton Creek Bridge at 1:13 p.m. Many motorists going east felt compelled to slow down to try and see the vehicles. The victims didn't mean to delay or inconvenience anyone.
Not long after that, someone else had a small crisis and broke down in the eastbound tunnel right lane. A wrecker was dispatched and that person was kept from harm.
The two-hour delay, however, is not difficult to explain: We stopped traffic in both directions so we could get fire and emergency medical personnel into the eastbound tunnel, and get everyone in there out as soon as possible. There was a two-ton truck on fire. This vehicle burned completely to the tires! By the grace of God it did not explode. We were fortunate. No injuries, no fatalities, just some smoke and damage to the tiles - take a look when you drive through next time.
Yes, many people were late. Within 15 minutes every means of public notification had been exercised: Metro was on all stations with public-service announcements; signs were flashing, advising of delays; we asked everyone to use an alternate route. How many people ignored our warnings? How many thought, ``That doesn't apply to me'' and sat there, or drove down the emergency lanes, or worse still, tried to turn around and go the wrong way? Even with all this going on 38,500 vehicles still got through the eastbound tunnel that day.
We need all the help we can get in return for what we provide. All weather, all conditions, 24 hours of every day of the year we are here to assist you, the traveling public.
I have given the Hampton Roads-area tunnels almost eight years of my life because I care and I believe that I can make a difference. The help I got in return was being struck by vehicles twice; being squirted across the face with bleach; having bottles and cans thrown at me; plus an ``expansion'' of my vocabulary knowledge that no one should hear.
I also have letters from some of the people that needed help. They too were delayed and inconvenienced, not to mention scared.
The bottom line is that if it had been Ms. Hammond that needed help, we would have helped, and will help if needed. That is what we are here to do.
ELLA F. ``SUE'' MADDOX
Traffic controller
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
Sept. 4, 1996 by CNB