I-64 widening project update for Williamsburg
New Travel Lanes Open in Each Direction Along Second Segment
Thanks to the opening of three travel lanes in each direction along I-64 Widening Segment II corridor, drivers have been able to enjoy safer, less congested travels between Newport News, James City County and York County. These lanes add another 7 miles of interstate improvements to the 5.3 miles of the Segment I Project completed in December 2017.
Final punch list work and inspections are underway on the Segment II Project, estimated to be completed this summer.
SEGMENT III PROJECT UPDATE
Increased construction activity continues in the median and at the bridges along the Segment III corridor, spanning approximately 1 mile west of Route 199/Lightfoot (Exit 234), to 1 mile west of Route 199, Humelsine Parkway / Marquis Center Parkway (Exit 242).
Traffic continues to travel along the outside lanes, with the next set of traffic shifts to the new median lanes estimated to be completed next summer.
Crews continue clearing and grubbing, drainage pipe installations and earth-moving operations for pavement widening in the median. Clearing and grubbing operations are also taking place on the outside shoulders in areas of future stormwater ponds.
Near the Barlow Road overpass, the contractor has prepared the subgrade layer to begin work constructing the first section of roadway pavement. Construction of the cement-treated recycled concrete subbase layer of the roadway has begun, with the asphalt paving scheduled to begin next month.
Like in Segment II, the same cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly processes and materials in the form of Cold Central Plant Recycled Material, Full Depth Reclamation and the recycled concrete subbase will be incorporated into the roadway layers in Segment III. (More info on these processes here.)
Three sets of bridges are also seeing construction activity as follows:
Queens Creek Bridges
For the full replacement of the bridges on I-64 over Queens Creek, a “causeway” made up of layers of geo-textile fabric and stone aggregate has been completed over the marshlands in the center median to allow for construction access.
Construction of a temporary trestle bridge is underway to provide construction access over the water.
Structural concrete has been placed at several pier cap locations for the bridges. Test and production pile driving operations are currently underway at this bridge during daytime hours.
Lakeshead Drive Bridges
Rehabilitation work and the replacement of the existing bridge bearings on the I-64 bridges over Lakeshead Drive are underway. This work has been requiring daily daytime, and occasional nighttime, flagging operations on Lakeshead Drive when structurally lifting operations are being performed. This work is anticipated to continue for the next several months. Daytime pile driving operations have also began, as well as the placement of structural concrete at pier footings and columns.
Colonial Parkway Bridges
Excavation for the abutment footings have begun on the I-64 bridge over Colonial Parkway.
In order to preserve the aesthetics of the historic Colonial Parkway area owned and maintained by the National Parks Service (NPS), VDOT has also been working with NPS to match the brick and mortar colors for the widened sections of the bridge as closely as possible to the existing bridge.
Lane Closures:
Each week’s scheduled lane and ramp closures can be found on the project website on the Traffic Alerts page. All construction work and closures are dependent upon weather conditions.
A consecutive, long-term full ramp closure on Route 143 Merrimac Trail north to I-64 west continues. Traffic will follow detour signage in place directing motorists to the Route 143 south on-ramp to I-64 west during the closure.
Alternate Routes:
Avoid the backups and find alternate routes around the work zone by viewing the Alternate Routes Map now available on the I-64 Widening website.