Officials break ground on new I-64 express lanes in Norfolk, tell me about this news in (https://www.dailypress.com/2026/09/18/express-lanes-64-norfolk/)
19-09-2026
On September 18, 2026, federal, state, and regional officials gathered in Norfolk to break ground on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment 1B project.
Key details of the project and announcement include:
Project Scope: The initiative spans approximately 7 miles along Interstate 64 in Norfolk. It introduces a part-time Express Lanes optionwestbound from east of I-264 to Tidewater Drive, and eastbound from Tidewater Drive to Northampton Boulevardwhile preserving the three existing general-purpose lanes in each direction.
Funding and Cost: Supported by a $389 million design-build contract awarded in early 2026, the project is funded locally by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) and backed by a federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan of up to $310.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau.
Key Attendees: The ceremony included Virginia Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue, VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich, Build America Bureau Executive Director Dr. Morteza Farajian, HRTAC Chair and Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons, and Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.
Broader Vision: The segment will form a critical link in the envisioned 45-mile continuous network of high-occupancy toll (HOT) Express Lanes across I-64, stretching from Newport News through the Hampton Roads region to Chesapeake.
Timeline: Construction officially gets underway in fall 2026, with completion targeted for late 2029.