Hampton Roads Transportation
Because of the unique geographical layout of Hampton Roads, namely the harbor and various waterways, the area has had some difficulty updating its transportation. Such a dire need for updates, plus the high cost of doing so and the low budget of the area made this very difficult for many years and even led to the closing of both the Kings Highway Bridge and the Jordan Bridge.
Fortunately, in 2007, the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority decided to take control of the situation. This new organization came about due to the passing of a sate law in which additional taxes were levied to raise money to start several different transportation projects. Though many major projects were completed, it is unclear whether this organization will remain in existence, since many had issues with the additional taxes and protested.
While traveling in and around Hampton Roads may have proved difficult for quite some time, it has always been relatively easy to get into the area itself. Visitors can fly in to Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport, Norfolk International Airport, or the Chesapeake Regional Airport. They can also choose to take the Amtrak, a Greyhound bus, a light rail called "The Tide," or simply drive along the Interstate 64 and/or the Hampton Roads Beltway.
Once in the area, most visitors will rely on the ferry services. There is a passenger ferry on the Elizabeth River, located near both Norfolk and Portsmouth, as well as the Jamestown Ferry, located on the James River. The latter ferry is open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and operates four boats, known as the Pocahontas, the Williamsburg, the Surry, and the Virginia. Riding on the ferry is free of charge, making it easy for tourists to see the whole area without spending a small fortune on transportation.