Anyone who has driven from Richmond to Virginia Beach or vice versa knows that traffic on Interstate 64 can be brutal. Drivers suffer, particularly in the summer months, losing time to jam-packed lanes in one of the busiest regions of Virginia. Thankfully, relief is on the way.
Initial construction to widen I-64 between Hampton Roads and Williamsburg has been underway since mid-September. Phase I of the three-phase project will expand a 5.6-mile stretch, from four to six lanes, between Jefferson Avenue and Yorktown Road in Newport News, a longstanding source of frustration and traffic.
Funding for this project is possible through a whirlwind of recent legislation. The Commonwealth Transportation Board’s (CTB) Six-Year Improvement Plan, adopted in 2014, designated $100 million specifically to the I-64 widening, a figure expected to cover the total cost. However, when the budget estimate for the project increased to $144 million, Hampton Roads was able to use funds provided by House Bill 2313, passed in 2013, which generates approximately $200 million annually to the Hampton Roads Transportation Fund (HRTF). This represented the first use of funds from HB2313 in the Hampton Roads region. Without this funding, the I-64 widening would not be possible.
Governor McAuliffe, a vocal supporter of the I-64 widening, believes the project will improve traffic delays and safety in addition to helping the military and Port of Virginia. The I-64 widening is a prime example of why transportation funding is vital to our communities and our quality of life.
Phase one is expected to be completed by September 2017.
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