CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The emergency closure of the 22nd Street Bridge in Chesapeake is causing traffic problems in the South Norfolk neighborhood.
Locals say that’s because it’s the only way cars can get around the trains.
“The traffic has been terrible, it’s backed up half a mile down Liberty, it’s backed up all the way down here past the stores, traffic is way down Poindexter, it’s just really bad,” said Danny B, a stylist at Chris Styles Unisex Barbershop.
The bridge closure happened back in August.
The city says the 81-year-old bridge is deteriorating and isn’t safe.
They’re currently replacing it, but in the meantime, some residents say it’s causing a traffic headache.
“You try to go around the other way, the train is on that side, it’s just impossible to get anywhere on time around here and people are really having a problem,” explained Danny B.
“It holds up traffic jams we have to go around, we can’t even go around, then a train will stop hold the traffic up about 20 or 30 minutes and then you have to sit here, and sit here,” said local Gerard Simms.
“It’s unpredictable, we don’t know the schedule of the trains, when it’s there, it’s there you’re just kind of stuck and you’re going to be an hour late.”
10 On Your Side reached out to the city to see if they have any comment about the traffic issues and haven’t heard back yet.
The projected completion date is April of 2020.