HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday to mark the start of the $3.8 million Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project.
Governor Ralph Northam and state officials stressed how the major project, the largest in Virginia’s history, will both improve the quality of life for residents and help increase economic activity.
“For too long, traffic in the Hampton Roads region has bottlenecked at the tunnel,” Northam said. “Folks in this region deserve an easier, more reliable commute. This is the largest project in our history, and it will ensure that people can move around faster, that commerce flows more easily, and that we finally connect the Peninsula and the Southside. This project will make everyone’s lives easier when it is completed.”
VDOT gives official go-ahead to start construction on $3.8B HRBT expansion project
The $3.8 billion expansion is expected to be complete by Nov. 2025 and will widen the current four-lane segments of the 1-64 HRBT corridor in Norfolk and Hampton, as well as bore new twin tunnels. It carries a hefty price tag, but is expected to pay off in the long run, with a projected $5 billion-plus economic impact for the state.
Student competition underway to name new HRBT Tunnel Boring Machine
The expansion will increase capacity, ease major congestion, and enhance travel time reliability.
Gov. Northam says the $3.8 billion project to expand the notoriously congested Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel is a “critical investment” for Hampton Roads. More than $8 billion in transportation projects are currently going on now in Va., Northam says. https://t.co/ykC81hk0rK pic.twitter.com/7BN05w5vKM— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) October 29, 2020
In addition to remarks from Northam and the event premiered a concept video that takes viewers on a visual tour of the I-64 widening project between Hampton and Norfolk, including the new twin tunnels.
The project extends from Settlers Landing in Hampton to I-564 in Norfolk.
WAVY’s Aesia Toliver was at the event and will have more coming up at 4 on WAVY News 10. For more information, click here.
Latest News
NC COVID-19 Oct. 29 Update: Record high of 2,885 new cases, 38 additional deaths — 2 in local counties
Falwell Jr. files defamation suit against Liberty University after resigning over sex scandal
‘Galactic Gathering’ coming to Virginia Beach Town Center
Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach prepares for Halloween Weekend
WATCH: Big Game Bound Week 8: Key AFC, NFC matchups