RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Tiffany Elliott Erbach 757-925-1660 tiffany.erbach@VDOT.virginia.gov Lauren Hansen 757-925-2583

HRO-0545 Aug. 2, 2005

New RAMPS OPEN AT MERCURY BOULEVARD INTERCHANGE Openings Should Help Ease Congestion on Mercury Boulevard And Remove Traffic from the Last Portion of Old Pavement

HAMPTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) opened two new ramps late last night and this morning. The first ramp opened late last night for traffic from I-64 westbound exiting at Mercury Boulevard. The second ramp opened this morning for Mercury Boulevard northbound traffic headed to I-64 east.

The first ramp for traffic from I-64 westbound exiting at Mercury Boulevard removes traffic from the last portion of old pavement that had completely degraded and was subject to flash flooding. The new ramp provides a smooth ride to the traffic light at Mercury Boulevard.

The second ramp is for traffic from Mercury Boulevard northbound (away from the James River Bridge) onto I-64 eastbound. Look for this ramp on the right-hand side of Mercury Boulevard before the first bridge as you approach the interstate.

Construction crews will now begin building the ramp to the bridge along Mercury Boulevard northbound. Once completed this ramp will be the Mercury Boulevard flyover exit from I-64 East toward the Coliseum.

For more information about the Coliseum Central Highway Improvement Project, please visit the project website at www.I64info.com .

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