I-64 Southside Widening and High Rise Bridge Expansion Project
Construction Continues on the New High Rise Bridge

Bridge piers continue to be built on both sides of the the river. As of April 20 th , 80% of piles have been installed, and crews have successfully constructed 30 columns, 11 pier caps, and are making preparations to start installing large beams on top of the piers beginning in May 2020.

The highest part of the new bridge is currently 99 feet, a small height compared to the 113 feet it will be to the top of the bridge in order to provide a final 100 foot clearance under the bridge for the navigational channel.
Aerial photo captured April 5 shows progress of the new bridge. Image shows east side of the bridge (closest to Suffolk).
Aerial photo captured April 5 shows progress of the new bridge. Image shows west side of the bridge (closest to Virginia Beach).
Drainage Ponds Underway near the
I-464 exit

Storm water basins at the cloverleafs at 464 are being constructed to manage storm-water runoff for the new road widening. Retention basins collect storm-water run-off in permanent pools to provide flood control, pollutant removal and erosion control.
‌
Image taken April 5 shows early construction of storm water basins near the I-464 interchange.
Update on Great Bridge Boulevard Bridge Replacement

 Construction of the Great Bridge Boulevard Bridge has kicked into high gear! This new replacement bridge will have longer spans than the existing bridge to allow for the construction of the new High Rise Bridge and additional interstate lanes. The new bridge is being built slightly to the west (towards Suffolk) of the current bridge and will replace the current bridge once complete.

During the winter, construction continued on the center pier and the abutments on the north and south side of I-64 (parallel to the current Great Bridge Boulevard Bridge). The pier and abutments serve as the supports of the new bridge that will be built over I-64.

As seen in the photo below, a bridge pier is being constructed in the median to support the new overpass.
Photo taken May 6, 2020 from Great Bridge Boulevard Project Camera.
Image shows I-64 west in the foreground looking towards Virginia Beach
Columns and Piers Taking Form for the Interstate Widening over Military Highway
The columns for the bridge widenings over I-64 at Military Highway as shown in the photos are nearly complete. Crews have begun working on the pier caps. Girders, which are the horizontal structures that support the roadway, will begin being installed this summer.

Military Highway continues to be reduced to one lane in each direction under the I-64 overpass.
Photos shows construction of pier cap.
Photo depicts construction of column structure.
Update on I-64 Widening over Yadkin Road
"Crashwalls" were added to the existing I-64 columns for added protection in the event that a train incident were to occur near the overpass. Crews will soon begin working on the pier caps and abutments. Crews will then begin installing girders during the summer.
Completed crash wall at Yadkin Road construction site.
Pardon Our Noise - Construction Activities at the Shell Road I-64 Overpass Starting Soon
Construction activities at the Shell Road I-64 overpass began mid-April and will continue into fall. Typical daily work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With construction progressing, residents and businesses can expect noise and may feel minor vibrations due to pile driving and other construction activities in the vicinity.

Instances may occur where activities extend past 5 p.m.; however, per City of Chesapeake noise ordinance, all excessive loud noise activities will be suspended between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. the following morning unless otherwise approved and the public has been notified.

Temporary road closures and flagging operations on local roadways may also be necessary for the safety of our workers and traveling motorists. All road closures will be announced in advance with variable message boards on the roadways and on the traffic alerts section of our project website.
Traffic Impacts | Lane Closures

  • A list of traffic impact and lane closures can be found on the website: Traffic Alerts

  • Allowable Lane Closure Hours: Alternating single-lane closures on I-64 in both directions between South Military Highway (exit 281) and Greenbrier Parkway (exit 289):
  • Monday night – Thursday night
  • I-64 WB from 6:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • I-64 EB from 7:00 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Friday night, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday morning
  • Saturday night, from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday morning
  • Sunday night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday morning

  • With construction progressing, residents and businesses can expect additional noise due to pile driving and other construction activities in the close vicinity of the various construction sites. Excessive loud noise activities will be ceased between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. the following morning. To see the construction schedule and map, click here.

Lane Reduction at Military Highway Under the I-64 Overpass

  • Military Hwy is reduced to one lane in each direction where it passes under I-64 in Chesapeake. This allows crews to widen I-64 over Military Highway.
Restricted Access at Libertyville Road and Bainbridge Blvd Intersection 

  • There is currently no access to Bainbridge Boulevard from Libertyville Road. Additionally, turns from Bainbridge Boulevard onto Libertyville Road are prohibited. Motorists traveling on Bainbridge Boulevard will be able to continue straight through the Libertyville Road intersection. 
  • For information on lane closures necessary for maintenance and construction throughout Hampton Roads, drivers can visit 511Virginia.org, download the 511VA smartphone app, or dial 511. 
Please share this project newsletter with others. They can subscribe to this newsletter and important traffic alerts here:
For more information including traffic alerts, construction timelines and other information, visit the project website at 64highrise.org.