Long term lane changes announced for I-64 in Hampton during express lanes development

Hampton, Virginia – Motorists traveling through Hampton on Interstate 64 should prepare for an upcoming shift in traffic patterns that begins as early as Tuesday, March 25. This change is part of ongoing construction efforts for the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Hampton Segment, a major infrastructure project designed to improve traffic flow and offer more travel options to drivers in the region.

Lane Shifts to Support Construction

To make room for continued construction along I-64, including barrier installation, drainage improvements, and noise wall construction, traffic in both directions will be rerouted from the outer lanes toward the median. On I-64 westbound, this shift will begin as early as the overnight hours of Tuesday, March 25. Eastbound traffic will experience a similar shift beginning overnight on Thursday, March 27.

These new traffic configurations are expected to remain in place through late 2025.

Construction crews will carry out the traffic shifts over several nights, beginning as early as Sunday, March 23, depending on weather conditions. In order to safely complete the work, several overnight ramp closures are scheduled between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. These include access points such as:

• Mallory Street to I-64 west

• I-64 west to Woodland Road/Hampton University (exit 267)

• Settlers Landing Road/Woodland Road to I-64 west

• I-64 east to Settlers Landing/Hampton University (exit 267)

• Settlers Landing Road/Woodland Road to I-64 east

Drivers are urged to consider alternate routes, especially I-664, to avoid delays in the work zone. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) also encourages motorists to stay alert, obey posted speed limits, and use caution near construction activity. Digital message boards and signage will help guide traffic through the new configuration.

Stay Informed with Real-Time Updates

To navigate the area more efficiently, drivers can check real-time road conditions and traffic alerts using VDOT’s 511 Virginia service, either through the website (511Virginia.org), mobile app, or Waze GPS app, which is integrated with 511 data. These platforms provide up-to-date information on travel times, incidents, congestion, and weather impacts.

Details About the HREL Hampton Segment

The Hampton Segment of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes project involves significant upgrades along a two-mile stretch of I-64 from west of Mallory Street (exit 268) to LaSalle Avenue (exit 265A). The work includes repaving current lanes, widening the highway to add a 12-foot travel lane in both directions, and replacing or upgrading six bridges, including the eastbound bridges over the Hampton River.

When completed, this portion of I-64 will feature one full-time Express Lane, one part-time Express Lane, and two general-purpose lanes in each direction. The newly created lanes are part of a larger 45-mile high-occupancy toll (HOT) network that will eventually stretch from Newport News to Chesapeake, offering a continuous Express Lanes system across Hampton Roads.

This dynamic tolling model is designed to manage congestion by giving drivers more choices based on their travel needs. With traffic demands growing in the region, the Hampton Roads Express Lanes project aims to offer long-term relief and a more predictable driving experience for area commuters.

For additional information on the project, including construction updates, traffic impacts, and ways to sign up for alerts, visit 64expresslanes.org.