description Downtown Tunnel Overview
The Downtown Tunnel is a road tunnel beneath the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Virginia, United States. Opened in 1952, it created the first fixed road connection directly between the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth and is now part of the I-264 corridor. The original two-lane tube serves westbound traffic, while a parallel eastbound tube opened in 1987. The tunnel remains part of the road network connecting communities in the Hampton Roads region.
help Downtown Tunnel FAQ
Where is the Downtown Tunnel?
The Downtown Tunnel runs beneath the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Virginia. It connects Norfolk and Portsmouth as part of the I-264 corridor.
When did the Downtown Tunnel open?
The original Downtown Tunnel opened in 1952. It created the first fixed road connection directly between Norfolk and Portsmouth.
What cities does the Downtown Tunnel connect?
It provides a road connection between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. The tunnel passes under the Elizabeth River rather than requiring traffic to use a bridge crossing at that location.
Why was the Downtown Tunnel built?
It was built to create a fixed road link across the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. That link became part of the regional I-264 route between Norfolk and Portsmouth.
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