By the end of 2021, the commute on Interstate 64 may be a little easier for Hampton Roads drivers.
But for now, the I-64 construction zone will extend further west into York County.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has reached another milestone with the I-64 widening project, awarding a contract to a construction company for the third and final segment of the project, according to a VDOT news release.
Construction is slated to begin in fall of 2018 and finish in fall 2021.
The segment will run about 8.2 miles through York County and expand the road with a 12-foot-wide travel lane and shoulder in each direction, the release said.
Segment III starts at mile marker 242 and runs just west of exit 234.
The project will take about $178.3 million to extend the three-lane section of segment II, which is currently under construction. The expansion will stretch to VDOT’s Hampton Roads District, according to the release.
Shirley Contracting Company LLC will spearhead the project, funded by the Hampton Roads Transportant Accountability Commission and Smart Scale, according to VDOT’s website.
The Queen’s Creek bridges are scheduled to be replaced, as well as three major culverts and four other bridges. Sound barriers will also be installed at the eastern end of the Queen’s Creek bridges, according to the website.
Segment III will include a storm barrier wall installation, the addition of grass medians, sign structure replacements and more.
The widening of the roadway and bridges will happen mostly on the median between the existing westbound and eastbound lanes. The project does not include any improvements to the existing interchanges, the release said.
VDOT aims to improve safety by reducing congestion in existing sections of I-64, according to the website.
This project comes with an announcement from VDOT of three other contacts that were approved Wednesday at the Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting.
The CTB approved four contracts that will cost $374.4 million in maintenance and construction. The projects are in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and the Richmond Districts, according to the release.
