Continuous Lane Closure to be Lifted at I 64 West Ramp to I 564 West Beginning as Early as May 24

NORFOLK -Starting as early as Friday, May 24 at 5 a.m., contractor crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are scheduled to adjust the current traffic pattern on the interchange ramp from I-64 west to I-564 west from a single lane back to two lanes in an effort to help lessen the traffic impacts and provide congestion relief to motorists during peak summer travel.

To facilitate essential roadway and bridge widening as part of construction for the first phase of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment, a continuous single-lane closure has been in place at the ramp since early 2024 and was expected to be in place through early 2025. However, to help reduce the duration of travel impacts for motorists where possible, VDOT and the project's contractor worked together to identify opportunities to temporarily reopen all lanes on the ramp through mid-summer 2024, as construction activities continue elsewhere in the project corridor.

Two lanes of travel are scheduled to remain open from I-64 west to I-564 west through mid-summer until the single-lane closure at the ramp is estimated to resume for continued bridge work and drainage improvements.

This construction work is weather- and schedule-dependent; therefore, this schedule is subject to change. 

Additional traffic impacts previously implemented for this project remain in place, including:  

• Long-term, full-closure of the on-ramp to I-64 east from Tidewater Drive south, with new left turn at Thole Street to access to I-64 east, estimated to be in place through early 2026 
• Traffic shifted toward the inside median on I-64 east and west between Tidewater Drive and Little Creek Road (exit 276), estimated to be in place until approximately mid-2025 
• A shortened merge area at the northbound Tidewater Drive on-ramp to I-64 west, estimated to be in place through mid-2025

Motorists are reminded to use caution when traveling near work zones, obey posted speed limits, follow lane markings and barriers, be alert to digital message signs, and drive distraction-free. 

Before hitting the road, consider using VDOT's free 511 Virginia traffic tools, or the free 511-integrated Waze GPS app, to check for the most up-to-date road and travel conditions. VDOT's 511Virginia.org website and mobile app offer information about construction, traffic, incidents, and congestion, as well as access to traffic cameras, weather-related impacts and more. 

This work is part of the first phase of HREL Norfolk Segment construction projects, that includes the widening and rehabilitation of eight existing bridges on I-64 and the conversion of the existing inside shoulder along I-64 into a high-occupancy tolled, part-time shoulder Express Lane running alongside the three existing general purpose lanes between Patrol Road and Tidewater Drive for a total of 2 miles.  For more information on the Norfolk Express Lanes projects and to learn more about construction updates, traffic impacts and to sign-up to receive project updates, visit: https://www.64expresslanes.org/under_construction/norfolk.asp. 

The HREL Norfolk Segment will ultimately become a part of an overall continuous 45-mile high-occupancy toll Express Lanes network on I-64, from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake. As traffic demand continues to increase in the region, incorporating the Express Lanes dynamic tolling model, together with other interstate improvements, provides an additional approach to managing congestion in the long term and providing more travel choices and a reliable travel network for Hampton Roads motorists.

Photo Caption: Photo of single-lane closure on the ramp from I-64 west to I-564 west scheduled to be temporarily lifted starting as early as May 24 through mid-summer 2024.