I-64/I-264 Interchange Improvements Project, Virginia, US

The I-64/I-264 Interchange improvement is being implemented from the Twin Bridges in Norfolk to the Witchduck Road interchange. Credit: VDOT.

Steel girders being placed near Newtown Road Ramp 15A. Credit: VDOT.

The bridge piers will carry the new collector-distributor lanes. Credit: VDOT.

Construction of bridge piers completed between Kempsville and Newtown Roads. Credit: VDOT.

The I-64/I-264 Interchange improvement project involves multiple upgrades on 6.4km-long sections of I-64 and I-264 highways between the Twin Bridges in Norfolk and Witchduck Road interchange in Virginia Beach, US.

The $363m project is being undertaken in three phases by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Early works on the first phase of the project started in 2016 and phase one is expected to be completed by October 2019. Construction on the second phase was initiated in February 2018 and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

Details of phase one of the I-64/I-264 interchange improvements project

The I-64/I-264 interchange is of cloverleaf shape with additional directional ramps along with the I-264 collector-distributor (CD) roads, which link the I-264 with the Military Highway and Newtown Road interchanges.

The existing I-64/I-264 interchange has geometric and operational deficiencies. The upgrades are expected to mitigate the deficiencies and provide additional capacity, reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

The $158.7m first phase includes 3.5km of interstate improvements from the current I-64 West to I-264 East ramp. The primary works involve widening the road from the I-64 West between the Twin Bridges and the I-264 interchange, and the addition of a two-lane flyover ramp between I-64 West and the existing I-264 East CD road.

The new flyover ramp will allow motorists to travel freely without conflicting with to-and-fro movements from the I-264/Newtown Road interchange.

The first phase will also include a new two-lane CD road between the Newtown Road interchange and the I-64, as well as the construction of a new exit ramp from I-64 West to the current I-264 East CD road.

Details of  interchange improvement phases two and three

The construction works of the $194.5m second phase mainly include the extension of the new CD roadway built in phase one, from the Newtown Road interchange to the Witchduck Road interchange. It will also include reconfiguration of the interchanges on the south side and construction of a flyover across the I-264 for linking Greenwich Road with Cleveland Street.

Phase three will address the operational deficiencies and improve safety, capacity and traffic operations. It will improve the I-64 movements between the Indian River interchange and Northampton Boulevard interchange, as well as the I-264 section between Military Highway and Witchduck Road interchanges.

Construction on the I-64/I-264 improvements

The bridge piers that will carry the new collector-distributor lanes between Kempsville and Newtown roads were constructed by October 2017. The installation of new steel girders started near Newtown Road Ramp 15A to support the new CD lanes, in February 2018.

The high-voltage power lines were raised to accommodate the new ramps for the construction of the project.

A new waterway has been built to redirect a tidal channel flowing to the Elizabeth River. Realignment of the channel near I-264 was required as new ramps are being constructed from I-64 West to I-264 East.

Financing

The total investment required for the project is $363m, which is being financed by Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) through the Hampton Roads Transportation Fund (HRTF), as well as federal and state funds.

SMART SCALE and HRTAC are financing the second phase of the project.

Contractors involved

Tutor Perini Corporation was contracted for the construction of the I-64/I-264 interchange improvements phase one in September 2016.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) placed a $105.4 contract with The Lane Construction Corporation for the construction of phase two of the project, in December 2017.

Dominion Energy provided the 160ft-long transmission towers for the improvements project.