HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – Mary the Tunnel-Boring Machine is on the move once again!
Just six months ago on April 17, Mary broke through the headwall at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) for the ongoing expansion project.
On Thursday, Oct. 17, around noon, Mary began boring a twin eastbound tunnel, and officials said that crews are happy knowing operations are officially underway.
“We know from the first tunnel how we can improve a little bit,” HRCP Tunnel Manager Sergio Estebanes said. “This is a great day for the guys. Amazing work that the crew has done. The engineers, mechanics… amazing work.”
According to officials, the boring machine can work at a rate of around 50-feet per-day.
The nearly $4 billion expansion project is the largest in Virginia history, and aims to widen the highway in both directions in the hopes of mitigating traffic between the Southside and the Peninsula.
Both of the new twin tunnels being constructed are expected to be 1.5 miles each. Recently, in June, Project Director Ryan Banas said the project could be on track for an early completion in September of 2026.