DATE: Thursday, November 13, 1997           TAG: 9711130509

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

                                            LENGTH:   30 lines

ACCIDENT CAUSES 2-HOUR DELAY FOR DRIVERS HEADED FOR NORFOLK

Traffic heading into downtown Norfolk was brought to a standstill for about two hours Wednesday after a multivehicle accident on the Broad Creek Bridge just west of Military Highway.

Two people were hurt, although the extent their injuries was not known late Wednesday.

The accident happened about 7:30 p.m. when a large piece of equipment fell onto the highway from the back of a cement track, witnesses said.

Five cars were involved in the subsequent wreck.

The stretch of roadway where the wreck occurred is under construction for the addition of HOV lanes.

The incident is under investigation by state police.

Traffic was backed up to Newtown Road as motorists slowly tried to reach alternate routes, such as Virginia Beach Boulevard and Military Highway.

Traffic on Military also was stacked up at times because of the extensive construction along that road between the interstate and Virginia Beach Boulevard.

For motorists caught between Military Highway and the accident scene, however, there was no alternate route. A few stood around outside their vehicles under umbrellas as any icy rain fell.

Others just turned off their headlights and motors and waited. KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC INJURIES

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu