The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced a full weekend closure of LaSalle Avenue in Hampton as part of ongoing work on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Newport News Segment. The closure is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, and continue until as late as 5 a.m. on Monday, March 2, depending on weather and scheduling conditions. If needed, backup dates for the closure are set for the following weekend, from March 6 through March 9.
During this period, LaSalle Avenue will be closed between Armistead Avenue and Michigan Drive to allow demolition and construction work on the I-64 overpass above LaSalle Avenue. Detours will be posted: southbound traffic will be directed onto South Armistead Avenue and West Pembroke Avenue before returning to LaSalle Avenue; northbound traffic will use the I-64 east on-ramp, exit at Rip Rap Road (exit 265C), then follow Rip Rap Road and North Armistead Avenue back to LaSalle Avenue. Motorists may also access I-64 westbound from North Armistead Avenue.
VDOT encourages drivers to plan ahead and use alternate routes when possible. “Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling near work zones, obey posted speed limits, follow lane markings and barrier guides, be alert to digital message signs and drive distraction-free,” according to VDOT.
For up-to-date information about road conditions and closures, motorists are advised to use VDOT’s free 511 Virginia traffic tools or the Waze GPS app integrated with the 511 system. The VDOT website and mobile app provide details about construction updates, incidents, congestion, cameras, and weather-related impacts.
The HREL Newport News Segment project covers approximately 11.5 miles along I-64—from just east of LaSalle Avenue (exit 265) in Hampton to 1.2 miles west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News. Most of this segment involves converting existing HOV lanes into Express Lanes alongside general purpose lanes; a smaller section between I-664 and LaSalle Avenue converts one general purpose lane into an Express Lane in each direction.
Once complete, this segment will connect with a larger network of Express Lanes spanning about 45 miles across I-64—from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake—aimed at managing congestion with dynamic tolling models.
VDOT is responsible for building, maintaining, and operating Virginia’s roads, bridges, and tunnels to support safe transportation throughout the state (official website). The agency manages one of the largest state highway systems in the United States (official website), oversees services like highway maintenance and traffic management through systems such as Virginia 511 (official website), and has its headquarters located at 1221 East Broad Street in Richmond (official website).
More information about Hampton Roads Express Lanes projects can be found at 64expresslanes.org.
