RICHMOND — Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday the allocation of $20 million from the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund to the I-64 Exit 211 Interchange Improvement Project in New Kent County.
“Virginia and New Kent County are on the move,” said Youngkin. “We are thrilled to partner with New Kent County, Central Virginia Transportation Authority and others to deliver funds to support necessary transportation investments along the booming I-64 corridor. With its proximity to the Port of Virginia and the I-64 Gap Widening Project fully underway, this corridor is attracting major investments slated to bring over 2,000 jobs and $2.25 billion in investment — a win for the County and the Commonwealth.”
The interchange will support the development of the New Kent City Center, which includes AutoZone and Target distribution centers, with additional projects in the works including a Buc-ee’s travel center, according to the governor’s office. The interchange will also serve the Farms of New Kent, a mixed-use development anticipated to include up to 2,500 residential units and 225,000 square feet of commercial space.
“I am pleased to recommend funding for this important project,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III. “As we see time and time again, sustained economic growth requires critical investments in our infrastructure. This was a great opportunity to work with our local and regional partners to get this road project funded so that we can support economic growth in this thriving region of the Commonwealth.”
The $94 million project consists of constructing a new two-lane bridge, adjacent to the existing bridge, to carry Route 106 traffic over I-64 to facilitate the construction of a Diverging Diamond Interchange, according to the announcement. I-64 ramps will be widened and realigned to add capacity and tie into Route 106 improvements, which will provide additional capacity by taking the roadway from a three-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. A shared-use path to support pedestrian and bicycle traffic will also be constructed generally along the west side of Route 106 for the length of the project.
“Working alongside Gov. Youngkin and his Administration, we were able to secure $20 million to fix the interchange in New Kent. This investment will make our roads safer, ease congestion, and ensure more efficient travel for families, commuters, and businesses across the region,” said Sen. Ryan T. McDougle.
“This much-needed funding will ensure that residents, local businesses, and tourists can conveniently access amenities across our region,” added Del. Amanda Batten.
