Governor Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy marked a significant milestone for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project on September 24, 2025, celebrating the completion of mining operations for both new tunnels. The tunnel boring machine (TBM), named Mary in honor of NASA engineer Mary Winston Jackson, finished its work on the second tunnel three weeks ahead of the first. The second tunnel’s boring began on October 17, 2024, reaching depths up to 173 feet before today’s breakthrough.
“Hampton Roads is home to the Port of Virginia and the world’s largest military installation, making it vital to both international trade and national security,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Today’s breakthrough brings us one step closer to ending gridlock in the region, unlocking new opportunities for the free flow of people and commerce through the Commonwealth, and ensuring our military personnel in the region are ready to respond more quickly when duty calls.”
“Life is better for Americans when transporting people and goods is easier,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The final breakthrough of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel demonstrates what’s possible when collaboration meets innovation to build big, beautiful infrastructure.”
Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III credited legislative support and regional partnerships with moving forward a project that nearly doubles capacity at one of Virginia’s busiest crossings: “Without the backing of the 2013 Virginia General Assembly, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and our regional partner—the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, which had the determination to make this best-in-class project a reality—motorists would be sitting in traffic for several more decades,” he said. “The region’s vision and funding support for this nearly $4 billion project, which doubles capacity, means motorists will enjoy much less congestion and much more travel time reliability across Hampton Roads’ busiest crossing for years to come.”
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reported that during construction some milestones were achieved by Mary—including building over 366 feet of tunnel in a single week—a record for a TBM of this size.
“With many eyes on VDOT as we lead the largest highway construction project in Virginia’s history, we continue to be laser-focused on bringing this generational project to fruition,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich.
In coming weeks, crews will complete installation work inside both tunnels before focusing on roadways, ventilation systems, and safety features. Both tunnels are scheduled to open together upon project completion in 2027.
