Gov. McAuliffe Marks Opening Of A Wider I-64 On The Peninsula

NEWPORT NEWS – Governor McAuliffe today marked the opening of a wider I-64 on the peninsula with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Unlocking one of the Peninsula’s biggest bottlenecks has been a priority for Governor McAuliffe and today’s completion of the Segment I widening work marks a significant step forward in the overall project. Segment I of the widening effort was completed on time and on budget.

“My administration has worked tirelessly to relieve the gridlock in Hampton Roads and today I am proud to celebrate the widening of I-64 on the Peninsula, which came in on time and under budget,” said Governor McAuliffe at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “This important project was truly a team effort between the state, regional and local government, the private sector and the community. The widening of I-64 on the Peninsula is yet another step forward in our efforts to build a transportation system that helps our new Virginia economy thrive.”

Nearly six miles of Interstate 64 between Jefferson Avenue and Yorktown Road is now open with an additional travel lane and shoulder in each direction. The widening work was completed by Shirley Contracting Company of Lorton, Virginia and is the first of three independent segments to be widened. The fast-tracked project was delivered in 22 months at a cost of $122 million. The project was the first to make use of Hampton Roads Transportation Fund revenues, with $44 million of funding provided by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission. 

Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne said, “Today’s event is truly a celebration of these types of significant improvements, which is exactly what is needed to build and maintain a reliable transportation systems that are essential to growing the new Virginia economy.”

Segment I work also included the repair and widening of four bridges at Fort Eustis Boulevard and the Lee Hall Reservoir, the lengthening of on-and-off ramps at Fort Eustis Boulevard, and the addition of low-maintenance landscaping along the corridor’s median.

Work is already underway on the widening of Segment II to Route 199.  Over the next four years, another travel lane and shoulder will be added in each direction along 15 miles of I-64, all the way to exit 234 (Lightfoot).