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Article: TUNNELS SAFE, BUT NOT INDESTRUCTIBLE STRUCTURES WERE BUILT TO WITHSTAND QUAKES, SINKINGS, CATASTROPHES.(FRONT)
- Article from:
- The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)
- Article date:
- November 18, 2001
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 The Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of the Dialog Corporation by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: BILL SIZEMORE THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
When the tunnels spanning Hampton Roads' waterways were designed and built decades ago, they were fortified to withstand catastrophe.
The same safety features that have kept those vital transportation links in near-constant operation also make them resistant - although not invulnerable - to a terrorist assault, say the people who watch over them.
The tunnels are sturdy structures that can survive hurricanes, earthquakes and ship sinkings.
No accident has ever damaged a tunnel enough to close it for more than a few hours. But a major explosion, such as in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, could ...