For the past couple of years, you’ve probably noticed construction along Interstate 64 from Newport News to York County.
VDOT’s I-64 Widening Project began in 2015 and spans about 21 miles from Jefferson Avenue in Newport News to Newman Road in York County.
And the entire project won’t be finished until 2021.
“The I-64 Widening Projects are divided into three separate construction segments that are operationally independent from one another, with each having their own budget, deadline and contract for each project,” VDOT spokeswoman Brittany McBride wrote in an email.
Here’s a breakdown:
Segment I (Exit 225 to Exit 247)
- Timeline: September 2015- December 2017
- Price tag: $122 million
- Distance: Approximately 5.6 miles
- Areas affected: west of Jefferson Avenue to east of Yorktown Road
According to VDOT’s website, the project built noise walls along the highway, added landscape to the median and corridor and extending the on- and off-ramps at Fort Eustis Boulevard.
Segment II (Exit 242 to Exit 247)
- Timeline: October 2016 to Spring 2019 (expected)
- Price tag:$138.8 million
- Distance: Approximately 7.08 miles
- Areas affected: west of Humelsine/Marquis Center Parkway to east of Yorktown Road
This project is using a greener method to create the two new lanes which includes using a cold application method and using recycled asphalt, according to VDOt’s website.
Segment III (Exit 234 to Exit 242)
- Areas affected: west of Newman Road to west of Humelsine/Marquis Center Parkway
- Distance: Approximately 8.2 miles
- Price tag: $178.3 million
- Timeline: August 2018 to Fall 2021 (expected)
The project also includes landscaping along corridor, replacing signs and improving drainage and storm management facilities, according to VDOt’s website.
All three segments of the widening project will reduce congestion and create more evacuation routes by adding two additional lanes to the highway, or six lanes in total, according to VDOT.
The localities are not providing funding for any of the projects, and the following amounts are subject to change based on need, McBride said:
Segment I is funded by $373,590 from Commonwealth Transportation Board, $90.6 million in state bonds, $9 million from Priority Transportation Funds and $14 million from Hampton Roads Transportation Funds.
Segment II is funded entirely by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission.
Segment III is funded by $122.8 million from the HRTAC and $121.5 million in SMART SCALE (HB 1887) funds.
Both Segments II and II projects are on-time and on-budget, McBride said.
