The HRBT tunnel carries Interstate 64 under the harbor of Hampton Roads, between Hampton on the Peninsula and Norfolk on the Southside.
Quick answer: The HRBT tunnel is the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on I-64. Its first tube opened in 1957 and a second, parallel tube in 1976. A $3.9 billion expansion is adding twin bored tunnels under the harbor.
Contents
- Two Tunnels, 1957 and 1976
- Traffic Through the Crossing
- Height and Width Limits
- The HRBT Expansion Project
- Frequently asked questions
Two Tunnels, 1957 and 1976
The crossing combines bridge sections with tunnels under the harbor. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) dates the first two-lane tunnel to 1957 and the second two-lane tunnel to 1976.[1] VDOT gives separate height limits for westbound and eastbound traffic, one for each tube.[1]
Traffic Through the Crossing
VDOT reports that the HRBT carries more than 100,000 vehicles a day during the tourist season, and nearly three million vehicles a month.[1]
The crossing is free. VDOT lists no toll for the HRBT.[1]
Height and Width Limits
Tall and wide vehicles face limits in the tubes.[1]
| Direction or rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| I-64 westbound, without a permit | 13 feet 6 inches high |
| I-64 eastbound, with a permit | 14 feet 6 inches high |
| Width, with a permit | 10 feet 6 inches |
| Wider vehicles | VDOT escort required |
Motor homes must stop for a propane tank check before entering the Hampton Roads tunnels.[1]
The HRBT Expansion Project
The HRBT Expansion Project widens a corridor of nearly 10 miles on Interstate 64.[2] Its centerpiece is a pair of new two-lane tunnels, bored under the harbor between Hampton and Norfolk, together with the widening of four-lane segments of the highway.
The project is valued at $3.9 billion. The Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) pays 92 percent of the cost with regional funds.[2] The tunnel boring machine, named Mary, has finished boring the twin tunnels.[2] The project site does not give a completion date.
Frequently asked questions
When did the HRBT tunnel open? The original tube dates from 1957 and the parallel tube from 1976.
Is there a toll on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel? No. VDOT lists no toll for the crossing.
What is the height limit in the HRBT? Westbound vehicles are limited to 13 feet 6 inches without a permit. Eastbound, 14 feet 6 inches is allowed with a permit.
How much does the HRBT expansion cost? The expansion is valued at $3.9 billion.
References
- [1] Virginia Department of Transportation, Hampton Roads Bridges and Tunnels – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] VDOT, HRBT Expansion Project – last checked 11/08/2026
For the time of day in Hampton Roads and the rest of the state, see the Virginia time zone page.