The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) this week marked the completion of 8 miles of interstate widening and improvements on I-64 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
VDOT says I-64 is a vital corridor for both the Hampton Roads and Richmond regions, connecting two major population centers with commerce, industry, and tourism while also supporting significant freight traffic from the Port of Virginia.
“Today marks the completion of the third segment of the I-64 Widening Project, expanding capacity and unlocking congestion on a vital economic corridor,” Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine said in a statement. “This work represents an investment in the economic competitiveness of the Hampton Roads and Richmond regions—and our Commonwealth.”
The project includes the widened and rehabilitated bridges over the historic Colonial Parkway, consisting of approximately 60,000 custom-made bricks and intricate masonry work to match and maintain the distinct, historic aesthetics of the overall Colonial Parkway corridor.
Awarded the $178.3 million design-build contract in December 2017, Shirley Contracting and Dewberry design-build team completed the I-64 Widening Segment III Project in its entirety within budget and on schedule, meeting the Dec. 17, 2021, contract completion date, according to a press release from VDOT.
In addition to the craftsmanship at the Colonial Parkway bridges, the project’s improvements included the widening of approximately 8 miles of I-64, from two travel lanes to three in each direction, between Route 199/Newman Road in Lightfoot (exit 234) and Route 199/Humelsine Parkway (exit 242), as well as a full replacement of two bridges over Queens Creek. The project also included the widening and rehabilitation of four overpass bridges, over Lakeshead Drive and the aforementioned set over Colonial Parkway.
Along with the new lanes provided on the interstate and overpass bridges, the project also provided an improved driving surface due to the full reconstruction of the previous travel lanes, a new signalized intersection at the I-64 east off-ramp to Route 143, stormwater management facilities and drainage improvements, more than 2 miles of noise walls, and corridor-wide landscaping.
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SOURCE: Virginia DOT
