The I-64 Widening Project is nearing its one-year groundbreaking anniversary on Sept. 8 and the Virginia Department of Transportation has provided a project update.
The Widening Project will add one lane for both east and westbound traffic for approximately 21 miles along I-64, a vital artery of the Peninsula. VDOT plans to reduce congestion caused by traffic volume and exit interchanges.
Motorists driving along Interstate 64 between exits 255 and 247 have seen the progress made by construction crews over the summer months. The 5.6-mile zone of interstate constitutes the first of three segments of the I-64 Widening Project and, according to VDOT, it is the most congested sector of I-64 on the Peninsula.
Work on Segment I is projected to continue through December 2017 and VDOT reports that the project remains on time and within its budget.
“The contractor has been steadily working in the corridor and making great progress,” said Paula Miller, communications manager for VDOT Hampton Roads.
Much of the crews’ time and efforts over the summer months have been spent overhauling the Fort Eustis Boulevard Bridge. They have begun demolition of the bridges over Industrial Park Drive, which will be completely replaced by the end of the project, and begun expanding the bridges that span the Lee Hall Reservoir.
Crews will begin paving the medians during this week as work continues on drainage installations between the east and westbound lanes near Industrial Park Drive and the Lee Hall Reservoir. The new pavement will likely be noticeable along the inside median by early next week.
Intermittent single-lane closures will continue during nighttime hours throughout Segment I of the project and a speed limit of 55 MPH will remain in effect in both directions.
Additional state police patrol cars will be allocated to enforce work zone speed limits. At least one lane of traffic will remain open in both directions at all times and all lane closures will be announced on VDOT’s website.
