South Tidewater News

Contractor crews from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are set to implement a traffic shift on Granby Street in Norfolk as part of the initial phase of construction for the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment. The change is expected to occur overnight on November 26.

Traffic in both directions on Granby Street at the I-64 overpass will be moved from the inside lanes to the outside lanes. This shift will not reduce the number of travel lanes available and is anticipated to remain until summer 2025.

Additional traffic changes previously established for this project continue to be in effect. These include a long-term full ramp closure from southbound Tidewater Drive to I-64 east, with an alternative left turn at Thole Street for access, projected to last until early 2026. There is also a single-lane reduction and traffic shift on Tidewater Drive at the I-64 overpass, expected until spring 2025, and similar adjustments on Little Creek Road at the same overpass.

Furthermore, there is a shortened merge area at the northbound Tidewater Drive on-ramp to I-64 west, which will remain through mid-2025. The schedule for these changes depends on weather conditions and other factors, so it may be subject to alterations.

The construction work began in summer 2023 as part of the first phase of HREL Norfolk Segment projects. It involves converting the 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. Additionally, several bridges on I-64 are being widened and rehabilitated.

Ultimately, this segment will form part of a continuous 45-mile high-occupancy toll express lane network on I-64, stretching from Newport News' Denbigh Boulevard to Chesapeake's I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange. With increasing traffic demand in the region, incorporating express lanes with dynamic tolling aims to manage congestion effectively while offering more travel options and reliability for motorists in Hampton Roads.

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