Alternative A of the Hampton Roads Crossing Study which lays out a design that expands the I-64/Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel corridor to a six-lane highway from I-664 in Hampton to I-564, as well as a new bridge-tunnel at the existing HRBT has been approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The approval exposes a state-wide concern for congestion at water crossings in the area.
According to the study, Alternative A should help increase capacity in the existing corridor as well as improve military connectivity, regional accessibility and emergency evacuation capability. Access from the Port of Virginia to the interstate system will also improve.
The project is expected to cost about $3.3 billion and the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Long Range Transportation Plan currently includes $4.8 billion for the project.
While Alternative A will provide benefits to Hampton Roads, it may also affect other parts of Coastal Virginia, including traffic patterns for the Route 13 corridor on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. While the project may take 6 to 8 years to complete, Alternative A will more than likely be incorporated into future Northampton and VDOT traffic scenarios.
For more information, go to the Hampton Roads Crossing Study Web Site
About the Author
They have certainly picked the right place to expand the Interstate. Backups from Granby Street to the HRBT have become commonplace. Just hope it works better than the widening of 64 thru Chesapeake.