Military Exercise Causes Traffic Headaches

The annual Solid-Curtain Citadel Shield is the nation's biggest anti-terrorism drill, and occurs across all 50 states. The drill helps service people practice in case of multiple terrorist attacks across the country. But in a big military area like Hampton Roads, it has an even bigger effect on people's daily commute.

Because the drill is so important, military bases beefed up security entering through the gate. Bomb-sniffing dogs, vehicle searches, and ID checks were all utilized. The heightened security measures took longer for people to get through the gates, backing up traffic for miles all over the area. Additionally, some gate entrances were closed altogether.

Problems began just after 5 a.m., leaving many drivers at a standstill for hours. The traffic continued until 10 a.m. Most people estimate that their drive time was doubled, if not tripled. Some report they sat in traffic for as much as three hours.

While some people sat in traffic just outside the gate, others collided. A major accident at Bay Avenue and I-64 clogged additional roads, making a bad situation worse. The Virginia Department of Transportation had to stop traffic in the Hampton Roads Bridge tunnel seven times because they did not want drivers sitting idly inside the tunnel.

This exercise only takes place once a year, but when it does, it nearly always causes delays. Several school buses arrived late to campus, and many Hampton Roads Transit buses were delayed as well. Still, military representatives maintain that they spread the word to radio stations and newspapers, alerting the public to the potential delay.