NORFOLK – Removal of the existing sound wall and the clearing of trees near the sound wall along I-64 eastbound in Norfolk began in October 2021 as part of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project (HRBT).
The sound wall and trees are being removed to prepare the area where I-64 eastbound will be widened from two travel lanes to four. Construction crews will work overnight to remove a particular section of sound wall panels. The area of Norfolk impacted by the nighttime work is I-64 eastbound - adjacent to Executive Drive - from the intersection at Swanson Road to the W. Evans Street overpass.
The nighttime construction activity is scheduled to begin Monday, February 7th and continue through Friday, February 11th daily from 8:30 PM to 5:00 AM. The sound wall removal work may have a slight impact on residents living in the area as heavy construction equipment (excavators with back-up alarms, an excavator with a hydraulic thumb that will grab the panels and which may produce a crushing sound, and an excavator with a demo-hammer that will be used to loosen the panels at the columns and which may occasionally produce a “pecking” sound) will be used to remove the sound wall panels. The work will have minimal impact on vehicles driving eastbound on I-64 or driving on Executive Drive or Commodore Drive in Norfolk.
Once the construction of the new travel lanes is advanced, a new sound wall will be erected and trees will be planted along this area of the project. The new sound wall is planned to be in place by late Summer 2022.
