I-64 Southside Widening and High Rise Bridge Expansion Project
OVERNIGHT Detour on I-64 near the High Rise Bridge
Pile Driving Operations Under the Existing Bridge
This Weekend - November 2-4

As part of the ongoing construction of the new high rise bridge, motorists can expect a FULL ROADWAY CLOSURE AND DETOUR on I-64 near the High Rise Bridge on the following dates:

  • Saturday, November 2 at 11 p.m. to Sunday, November 3 at 6 a.m.
  • Sunday, November 3 at 11 p.m. to Monday, November 4 at 4 a.m.

Motorists traveling on I-64 Westbound (towards Virginia Beach) will be detoured at Exit 296 (US-17/ George Washington Highway) and continue on the following detour:

  • Left on George Washington Highway (US-17 North)
  • Right on S. Military Highway
  • Cross the Gilmerton Bridge
  • Exit right to 464 S
  • Exit 1A to 64 W (towards Virginia Beach) 
  • Continue on 64 W

Motorists traveling on I-64 Eastbound (towards Bowers Hill) will be detoured at Exit 291A to I-464

  • Exit 291A to I-464
  • Exit 2 to Military Highway (US-13)
  • Left on S. Military Highway (US-13 South)
  • Cross the Gilmerton Bridge
  • Exit right to I-64
Construction Continues on the New Fender System for the High Rise Bridge

This project includes the construction of a new fender system for both the existing High Rise Bridge and the new high rise bridge that is currently under construction. The fender system is designed to protect vessels from impact with piers and foundations.
As part of the construction, crews must drive 100 foot piles under the current 65 foot bridge. Extended openings of the High Rise Bridge bascule span are required to complete this work. The first series of extended openings took place the evening of Sunday, October 20.

Due to a weather-related cancellation of overnight work and detour on Saturday, October 19, additional dates will be needed and announced by email and project website when confirmed.
Images show crews working on the river during the overnight extended bridge opening/detour on Sunday, October 20.
I-64 Southside Widening and High Rise Bridge Project featured on Chesapeake Television

Click here  to watch an interview with Project Director Mike Prezioso on Chesapeake Television, the local cable TV station for the City of Chesapeake. 
The New High Rise Bridge is Starting to Take Form!
 
Construction of the new High Rise Bridge is well underway! When completed, the new 1.2 mile bridge will carry westbound traffic towards Virginia Beach. The 113 foot tall fixed span bridge will have a 100 foot clearance over the navigational channel, eliminating the need for bridge lifts to maritime traffic.

The new bridge will be 519,350 SF - that's the same area of 11 football fields! More than 3 million pounds of structural steel will be used to build the 3 spans over navigation channel .
The New High Rise Bridge - By the Numbers

  • Maximum Height - 113 feet (100 feet clearance over river)
  • Number of Spans - 37 (Span lengths vary from 140’ to 250’ long)
  • Number of pre-stressed concrete piles - 352 (Total length of 25,000 LF, or 4.7 Miles)
  • Number of pre-stressed concrete beams (140’ to 196’ long Bulb-Ts) - 296 (Total length of 53,580 LF, or 10.1 Miles)
  • Structural Steel - 3 Million LBS(3 spans over navigation channel)
  • Concrete - 70,000 CY
  • Rebar - 13 Million LBS



This photo depicts crews working on a pier cap for the High Rise Bridge. A typical pier cap on this project is 6 feet wide, 8 feet tall, 85 feet long and weighs 300 tons.
Traffic Shift on I-64 Westbound near the High Rise Bridge Complete

As of Tuesday morning, October 22, westbound (towards Virginia Beach) traffic on I-64 between the foot of the High Rise Bridge and the Great Bridge Boulevard overpass has been shifted towards the center lanes on to new pavement. This traffic shift will allow crews to work on the construction of the new high rise bridge adjacent to the roadway.
New Project Camera Added

A new project cameras overlooking the construction of the east end of the new bridge has been added to the website. You can view construction project cameras and view time-lapse videos on the website here .
Photo taken from Special Wall Camera looking towards Virginia Beach.
Traffic Impacts | Lane Closures

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

  • Full closure and detour of I-64 east and west near the High Rise Bridge on Saturday, November 2 at 11 p.m. to Sunday, November 3 at 6 a.m. and Sunday, November 3 at 11 p.m. and Monday, November 4 at 4 a.m. (See the full release here and above)

  • I-64 single-lane closures both directions between South Military Highway and Greenbrier Parkway, Monday-Friday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

  • 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

  • Southbound Military Hwy has been reduced to one lane where it passes under I-64 in Chesapeake beginning December 2019. This will allow crews to widen I-64 over Military Highway.
Restricted Access at Libertyville Road and Bainbridge Blvd Intersection 

  • There is currently restricted access to Bainbridge Boulevard from Libertyville Road. Additionally, there will be no turns from Bainbridge Boulevard onto Libertyville Road. 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 monthly 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.