Hampton Roads Express Lanes Network

As leaves change color across Hampton Roads this fall, the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Network is undergoing changes of its own. The recent groundbreaking of another Norfolk segment marks a major milestone toward completing the planned 45-mile network along I-64, while construction in Newport News and Hampton prepares for Express Lanes operations on the Peninsula.

With 21 miles of Express Lanes already operating in Norfolk and Chesapeake and additional segments approaching opening on the Peninsula—potentially with some portions opening as early as late this year—motorists will soon have even more travel options across the region.

Whether you choose the Express Lanes with E-ZPass or the toll-free general purpose lanes, the choice remains yours!

Read on for the latest construction milestones, project updates and helpful information about E-ZPass Flex, including how eligible drivers can travel toll-free in the Express Lanes.

For more information on the Express Lanes projects or to sign up for additional project updates, visit 64expresslanes.org.

Preparations Underway for Peninsula Express Lanes

With road construction nearing completion on several segments, more Express Lanes are expected to open in Newport News and Hampton as early as December 2026. This initial opening will include portions of the Newport News (4A/4B) and Hampton (4C) segments, with the remaining eastbound section in Hampton opening in a future phase.

When the Express Lanes open, drivers can expect new overhead Express Lanes and toll-pricing signs, posted Express Lanes speed limit signs, and pavement markings identifying designated entrances and exits. The flexible white posts already installed along the corridor separate the Express Lanes from the free general purpose lanes.

Ahead of the opening, crews are continuing to test the tolling infrastructure. Motorists may notice vehicles traveling beneath overhead tolling gantries within the future Express Lanes, behind the white lane-separation posts, participating in testing simulations. This month, the new public-facing overhead digital message signage will also undergo testing that will display "TEST" messaging to ensure it is functioning correctly.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Hampton Roads Express Lanes Newport News Segment (4A/4B) 

In late September, crews began implementing long-term inside lane closures on I-64 in both directions between LaSalle Avenue (exit 265) and Denbigh Boulevard (exit 250) to prepare the corridor for Express Lanes operations. This work includes installing white posts, pavement markings and tolling technology to convert the existing lanes into Express Lanes. The inside lanes will reopen when Express Lanes operations begin on this segment starting as early as late 2026.

Crews continue final paving operations on the I-64 east approach to LaSalle bridge.

Installation of overhead sign structures and tolling infrastructure also continues throughout the corridor. As of early November, all 63 of the project's overhead sign structures have been installed.

Construction of the new eastbound and westbound bridges on I-64 over LaSalle Avenue is also nearing completion.

Asphalt paving and roadway improvements are also progressing along I-64 in both directions. Final surface paving remains ongoing and is anticipated to be complete later in November.

Crews working to install one of the 63 overhead sign structures that have now been completed

Hampton Roads Express Lanes Hampton Segment (4C)

The HREL Hampton Segment (4C) Project includes widening and reconfiguring approximately 2 miles of I-64 in both directions, from east of LaSalle Avenue (exit 265A) to west of Mallory Street (exit 268), to provide one Express Lane, one part-time Express Lane and two general purpose lanes in each direction. Other major project elements include replacing the two I-64 east bridges over the Hampton River and the widening and rehabilitation of three bridges (on I-64 west over the Hampton River and in both directions over King Street and Settlers Landing Road). Construction began in summer 2023 and is estimated to be complete as early as summer 2027. 

Construction of the new eastbound Hampton River bridge and the bridges over the Hampton River branch was completed. Final surface paving and all permanent pavement markings on I-64 east and west from North Armistead Avenue to Settlers Landing Road, along with high-friction surface treatment for the Express Lanes on I-64 in both directions from N. Armistead Avenue to Mallory Street, were completed.

Final surface paving work on the eastbound Hampton River bridge

Crews also finished paving along portions of local roads in Hampton, including Rip Rap Road, King Street, River Street, and Settlers Landing Road.

Lighting, signage and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure were installed along I-64. The concrete median barrier between the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-64 was finished between King Street and the Hampton River bridges and between the Hampton River bridges and Settlers Landing Road.

Rehabilitation work continues to progress on the westbound Willoughby Bay Bridge in Norfolk.

Future Express Lanes and general purpose lanes along I-64 east and west near Rip Rap Road

Completed I-64 bridges over the Hampton River and Pembroke Avenue in Hampton as part of HREL 4C project

Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment 1A

The HREL Norfolk 1A Segment Project will reconfigure 2 miles of I-64 in both directions between Tidewater Drive and Patrol Road in Norfolk. The existing roadway will be converted to include one part-time high-occupancy shoulder Express Lane and three general purpose lanes in each direction. This project also includes the widening and rehabilitation of five existing bridges, along with the rehabilitation of an additional four existing bridges.

Recent Construction Updates

In August, crews removed the long-term traffic split on eastbound I-64 at the Tidewater Drive overpass between exits 277A and 277B and restored three general purpose lanes along eastbound I-64.

September saw the start of a series of reopenings of long-term closures, including the I-64 west mainline lane between Tidewater Drive and Patrol Road, the on-ramp from northbound Tidewater to I-64 west, and local lanes in both directions on Granby Street, Little Creek Road, and Tidewater Drive as well as westbound East Admiral Taussig Boulevard. These reopenings followed completion of bridge widening and rehabilitation, roadway widening, stormwater facility work, sidewalk construction beneath overpasses, and electrical work associated with restoring traffic signals at various locations in the project footprint.

Final mill and overlay work is underway on I-64 east and west, along with the long-term Tidewater Drive ramp to I-64 east anticipated to reopen in November.

Reopened northbound Tidewater Drive on-ramp to I-64 west

All lanes of travel on Granby Street reopened near I-64 overpass

Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment 1B

The HREL Norfolk 1B Segment Project, spanning approximately 7 miles along I-64 from east of the I-264 interchange to east of Tidewater Drive in Norfolk, will add a part-time Express Lanes option in each direction. As part of the project, a new part-time shoulder Express Lane will be added from east of I-264 to Tidewater Drive in the westbound direction and from Tidewater Drive to Northampton Boulevard in the eastbound direction. The project also includes replacement of the Chesapeake Boulevard bridge in both directions, widening and rehabilitation of nine bridges, and rehabilitation of 10 additional existing bridges. The design-build contract was awarded in early 2026, and final design and preliminary work are underway. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with estimated completion in late 2029. 

HREL Norfolk Segment 1B Project Celebrates Groundbreaking

VDOT joined federal, state, and local leaders on Sept. 18 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment 1B Project, marking another major milestone in the expansion of the 45-mile Express Lanes network along I-64.

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue and VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich were joined by U.S. Department of Transportation Build America Bureau Executive Director Dr. Morteza Farajian, Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) Chair and Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, and other federal, state, regional and local leaders for the ceremony, reflecting the continued collaboration supporting major transportation improvements throughout Hampton Roads.

Event speakers highlighted the continued financial partnership among VDOT, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau. This partnership secured a federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan of up to $310.2 million to support the Norfolk Segment 1B Project and other investments in the Hampton Roads Express Lanes network.

Crews are preparing for the start of construction activities on the HREL Norfolk Segment 1B Project with site preparation, utility coordination, equipment mobilization, drainage cleaning and survey work underway ahead of upcoming roadway and bridge improvements. Final design is also progressing as the project advances toward construction.

About HREL

The delivery of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes network is underway to provide a continuous 45-mile network of high-occupancy tolled Express Lanes along I-64, extending from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake. Constructed in multiple segments over several years, the full network is designed to move motorists more safely and efficiently through the region, provide more reliable travel times and help relieve congestion along I-64.

The HREL network is being delivered through a regional partnership among the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission and the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization. HREL toll revenue will be managed by HRTAC and used to cover system operations and maintenance, repay financing used to deliver the network, and, if surplus funds remain, reinvest in future congestion-relief interstate improvements.