RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Tiffany Elliott Erbach 757-925-1660 tiffany.erbach@VDOT.virginia.gov Mary Suman 757-342-4716

HRO-12 March 24, 2006

NEW LANES TO OPEN ON I-64 WESTBOUND Long-Awaited Opening Should Ease Congestion, Speed Commute
Long-Awaited Opening Should Ease Congestion, Speed Commute

HAMPTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and contractor E.V. Williams, Inc. will permanently open the newly constructed lanes of I-64 westbound next week. Crews are working on final striping and lane markings and will open lanes as they become available. The “new” I-64 westbound features four through lanes and an auxiliary, continuous merge lane.

The opening of the new lanes signals some additional changes, as well. The lane closure that has limited the I-664 entrance flyover to a single lane will be removed. Both lanes will once again be open to all traffic merging onto I-64 westbound from I-664. Crews will also remove the long-standing left lane closure on I-64 westbound from Settlers Landing Road to the project entrance near I-664. These changes should significantly reduce congestion on I-64 westbound near the Hampton Coliseum.

“VDOT worked with the contractors as they put extra crews on the roadway to make sure we were able to open everything up before the summer travel season,” said Project Manager Tom Druhot, P.E. “The contractor will still be out in the roadway finishing up small construction items, but aside from temporary lane closures here and there, all lanes will be open to traffic starting next week.”

One of the features of the new roadway is a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. Motorists are advised that HOV restrictions are in place and are enforceable during the posted hours in both the east and westbound directions.

Motorists should also note that while the project is substantially complete and long-term lane closures will be gone, some temporary, short-term lane closures may still be used from time to time to allow the contractor to safely complete work in various areas.

The work is part of the on-going Coliseum Central Highway Improvement Project, scheduled for completion in August of 2006. For additional project information, please visit www.I64info.com.


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