South Tidewater News

Contractor crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are set to implement traffic shifts on Tidewater Drive and Little Creek Road in Norfolk next week. This development is part of the initial phase of construction projects for the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment.

Starting as early as overnight on November 13, traffic in both directions on Tidewater Drive at the I-64 overpass will shift from the inside lanes toward the outside lanes. Similarly, beginning overnight on November 14, traffic in both directions on Little Creek Road at the I-64 overpass will undergo a similar shift. These adjustments will not reduce the number of travel lanes available to motorists and are expected to remain until spring 2025.

Additional ongoing traffic impacts for this project include a long-term full ramp closure from southbound Tidewater Drive to I-64 east. A new left turn has been provided at Thole Street for access to I-64 east, anticipated to last through early 2026. There is also a single-lane reduction for through traffic in each direction on Tidewater Drive at the I-64 overpass, projected to continue until spring 2025. On Little Creek Road, traffic is reduced to two lanes in each direction at the I-64 overpass, with this measure also expected to last until spring 2025. Furthermore, there is a shortened merge area at the northbound Tidewater Drive on-ramp to I-64 west, estimated to be in place through mid-2025.

This work marks part of the first phase of HREL Norfolk Segment construction projects that began in summer 2023. The project involves converting an existing inside shoulder along I-64 into a high-occupancy tolled express lane alongside three general-purpose lanes between Patrol Road and Tidewater Drive, covering two miles. It also includes widening and rehabilitating several bridges on I-64.

The HREL Norfolk Segment aims to become part of a 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 regional traffic demand grows, incorporating dynamic tolling models alongside other interstate improvements offers an additional strategy for managing congestion while providing more travel options and reliability for Hampton Roads motorists.

For further information about Hampton Roads Express Lanes projects or construction updates and traffic impacts, visit 64expresslanes.org.