Drivers on I-64 East will soon divert to HRBT’s newly opened bridge portion

There will be a new traffic pattern on Interstate 64 for those headed into Norfolk as early as May 1, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced this week.

Eastbound traffic coming from Hampton will be permanently diverted to the new North Trestle, just to the right of the existing trestle, as part of the next phase of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project. Motorists will then be redirected into the existing tunnel just before reaching the construction site for the new one, effectively cutting around the existing portion of I-64 that connects Hampton to the tunnel.

With traffic diverted, crews will begin demolishing the existing I-64 North Trestle. This change won’t impact westbound traffic.

The new traffic pattern is the latest development on the massive HRBT project since the tunnel boring machine, Mary, broke through onto the North Island, officially completing the first tunnel and now preparing to turn back to work on the second. Turning the machine around is expected to take about five months, and digging the second tunnel is expected to take about 11 months.

The project is aimed at improving safety along the HRBT, as well as easing congestion and improving emergency evacuation for Hampton Roads.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com