TRAFFIC SHIFTS ON TIDEWATER DRIVE & LITTLE CREEK ROAD SCHEDULED FOR EXPRESS LANES NORFOLK

NORFOLK- Contractor crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are scheduled to implement traffic shifts next week on Tidewater Drive and Little Creek Road in Norfolk as part of the first phase of construction projects for the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment.

• As early as overnight Nov. 13, traffic in both directions on Tidewater Drive at the I-64 overpass will be shifted right from the inside toward the outside of the roadway.
• As early as overnight Nov. 14, traffic in both directions on Little Creek Road at the I-64 overpass will be shifted right from the inside toward the outside of the roadway.

Neither shift will result in a reduction of the number of travel lanes for motorists and both are estimated to be in place until spring 2025.

Other traffic impacts previously implemented for this project remain in place, including:

• the long-term, full ramp closure from southbound Tidewater Drive to I-64 east, with a new left turn provided at Thole Street to access to I-64 east, estimated to be in place through early 2026.
• the single-lane reduction for through traffic in each direction on Tidewater Drive at the I-64 overpass, estimated to be in place until spring 2025.
• traffic reduction to two lanes for through traffic in each direction on Little Creek Road at the I-64 overpass, estimated to be in place until spring 2025.
• a shortened merge area at the northbound Tidewater Drive on-ramp to I-64 west, estimated to be in place through mid-2025.

This work is part of the first phase of first phase of HREL Norfolk Segment construction projects, that started in summer 2023 and includes the conversion of the existing inside shoulder along I-64 into a high-occupancy tolled, part-time shoulder Express Lane running alongside the three existing general purpose lanes between Patrol Road and Tidewater Drive for a total of 2 miles, as well as the widening and rehabilitation of several existing bridges on I-64.

This HREL Norfolk Segment will ultimately become a part of an overall continuous 45-mile high-occupancy toll Express Lanes network on I-64, from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake. As traffic demand continues to increase in the region, incorporating the Express Lanes dynamic tolling model, together with other interstate improvements, provides an additional approach to managing congestion in the long term and providing more travel choices and a reliable travel network for Hampton Roads motorists. For more information on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes projects and to learn more about construction updates, traffic impacts and to sign-up to receive project updates, visit 64expresslanes.org.

Image: Traffic on Tidewater Drive in both directions at the I-64 overpass will shift toward the outside of the roadway.

Image: Traffic on Little Creek Road in both directions at the I-64 overpass will shift toward the outside of the roadway.