Virginia: Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion

Tunnel to the 21st Century

Challenge: The Hampton Roads / Norfolk region of Virginia is a busy place. It’s home to the world’s largest naval base, one of the largest U.S. ports, and one of the fastest growing regions on the East Coast. The 10-mile stretch of bridges and tunnels connecting the two cities was built at the beginning of the Cold War. During peak travel times the facility carries up to 100,000 vehicles daily. Backups during these hours can extend six miles.

Solution: With help from the federal infrastructure investment law, and 92% of its funding sourced by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commision (HRTAC), the I-64 corridor between Hampton and Norfolk is moving into the 21st century. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion will widen the current four-lane segments along nearly 10 miles of the I-64 corridor between Norfolk and Hampton, with two, new twin-lane tunnels beneath the Norfolk Harbor. The expansion will increase capacity, ease major congestion, and enhance travel time reliability. It’s one of the largest and most important infrastructure projects in the country, and the first bored tunnel for Virginia’s Department of Transportation.

What they’re saying: “It’s a huge boost economically. And it’s going to make travel in the Hampton Roads region much easier.” (Bob McKenna, president/CEO of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber (Peninsula Chronicle, 5/25/23)

Note: VDOT is aware the contractor, HRCP, has fallen behind schedule by more than a year. The agency continues to work with the contractor to mitigate any production delays and will continue to support HRCP as needed to ensure they achieve project milestones.