Tuesday, February 11, 2025

NPS Update on the Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation Project

Citizens attend the Oct. 24, NPS Public Meeting on the Parkway closures. (Stephanie Sabin/WYDaily)

YORKTOWN — In November, Colonial National Historical Park will move into the second phase of repairs to the historic Colonial Parkway.

Colonial National Historical Park secured funding through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to repair and maintain a ten mile section of the Colonial Parkway, which runs through the park.

“We are so excited because this is a nationally significant – once in a generation – type project. This project is a $130 million for the repair of the shoreline and rehabilitation of the Parkway. It is one of the largest National Park Service transportation projects through GAOA. So, I am very excited about that,” stated Jerri Marr, Colonial National Park Superintendent.

The Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation Project will revitalize the 90-year-old parkway infrastructure for the next 40 to 50 years. Once complete, the Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation will increase visitor access, safety and enjoyment.

The rehabilitation will eliminate road hazards, improve guardrails, providing better signage, improvements to the Williamsburg Tunnel, repair of eleven bridges and provide a better experience for drivers, who can enjoy the views instead of dodging potholes, states the National Park Services (NPS) webpage.

“We are excited to update (the Williamsburg Tunnel) with some LED lighting and repairs. I think you (the citizens) will be thrilled with that – I know I am thrilled,” said Marr at a public meeting held on October 24.

The nearly $123 million Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation Project is one of the largest construction projects established by the Legacy Restoration Fund in the nation. It will address $110.5 million of maintenance backlog identified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) along the Colonial Parkway.

Work in the vicinity of Williamsburg, Virginia should be concluded by October 31, 2025, with the remainder of the work completed by June 30, 2026.

“I am glad to report that the work we are doing is proceeding as planned, on time and on budget,” said Marr to applause at the public meeting.

NPS Superintendent Jerri Marr (Stephanie Sabin/WYDaily)

Fall 2024 Closures

The first phase of construction is nearing completion, and the next phase, which is scheduled to take place late November will have a new set of closures and detours, according to the park.

Citizens will be given a one week notice – through signage and on the webpage – before new closures take place.

“We understand how these closures impact our daily lives. We understand that people use the parkway as transportation  -a highway- to get from one end to the other.” Marr continued, “We appreciate everybody’s patience and we understand it is an inconvenience. By having a full closure we save over a year in time getting this project done and ore importantly we save over a million and a half dollars in cost.”

Complete road closures are due to the presence of heavy machinery, construction traffic, rubble, voids, uneven lanes and surfaces — and, in some cases, closed bridges.

New work closures will begin at Penniman Road Bridge up to, and including, the area known as the Williamsburg Circle.

(NPS)

Meanwhile, the current closure from Route 199 to the Williamsburg Circle will remain in effect, meaning the Colonial Parkway will be closed, with no visitor access from Penniman Road Bridge, through Williamsburg to Route 199. Visitors should follow posted detour signs.

As work is completed and conditions become safe, NPS said it will reopen segments of the road. The closure from Felgate’s Creek to Cheatham Annex, for example, will be lifted when this phase begins. Visitors will be able to travel along the parkway from Fusiliers Road to Cheatham Annex.

As work is completed within the segment that runs from Route 199 to Williamsburg Circle, sections will reopen when it is safe to do so, the park service added.

The current closures from Ballard Street in Yorktown to Fusiliers Road and both Highway 17 access ramps will remain in effect throughout this new phase of the project. When work is substantially complete and bridges are replaced, NPS will reopen this section of the parkway.

Many community members expressed concerns about the upcoming Hubbard Lane closure.

“From Hubbard to Parkway Drive, it is three-quarters of a mile that is heavily traversed by folks that live in that area. It is access for us to get to I-64 -it is access for us to get just about anywhere in Williamsburg- it is not about the inconvenience. We got about 1000 homes at the end of Hubbard that are going to have one way in and one way out of that neighborhood for a year and a half. I am concerned about emergency access and egress in that area,” stated one citizen who wanted to understand if an impact study had been done.

Another citizen added, “(the area) is lined with houses and cars parked out there. And, there is an elementary school at the end of it. The amount of increased traffic for that area is going to be a big safety concern for those that live in the area as well as the kids that go to the elementary school. This area is closed for so long and it is a safety issue.”

“It is not the inconvenience – it is the length of time,” chimed in another who will be directly impacted by this closure section.

NPS representatives stated they worked closely with FHWA and VDOT on trying to make the best decisions on closures. Regular meetings also take place with local law enforcement, fire and EMS to discuss issues with the closure impacts.

“We are happy to take a look and ask questions but for now this is the closure that is there,” stated Marr.

The traveling public, including bikers and pedestrians, need to be aware of the closures, which are critical to protecting the health and safety of both workers and visitors, NPS said. The website will continue to offer project news, updates and information on closures, detours and other impacts.

The timetable for this project is currently expected to be slightly less than three years, ending in time for the celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.

“There is nobody that is going to be more excited to complete this project than the National Park Service. First, because we are proud of the work we are doing, but secondly 2026 -July 2026 – we will be welcoming America back home to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is important to get this done so we can open up the Parkway and welcome America home,” expressed Marr.

Citizens are invited to learn more about the project through the Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation website. Any questions or comments can be directed to the project’s email address: colo_Parkway_rehab@nps.gov

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