Motorists traveling westbound on Interstate 64 in Norfolk will experience a new traffic pattern starting as early as the night of December 14, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The change is part of ongoing construction for the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment.
Westbound traffic between Tidewater Drive (exit 277B) and Little Creek Road (exit 276C) will be shifted from the inside lanes to the outside lanes. This configuration allows crews to continue work on roadway improvements, including setting barriers, rehabilitating bridges, and installing new striping and signage in the inside lanes. VDOT expects this traffic shift to remain in place until mid-2026.
To facilitate the shift, several overnight ramp closures are planned over multiple nights. Closures will occur from as early as 7 p.m. until 5 a.m., affecting on- and off-ramps at Tidewater Drive (exits 277A/B) and the off-ramp at Little Creek Drive (exit 276C). Not all ramps will close simultaneously, and detour routes will be posted for drivers.
VDOT notes that all work is dependent on weather and scheduling factors, so dates may change.
“Before hitting the road, consider using VDOT’s free 511 Virginia traffic tools, or the free 511-integrated Waze GPS app, to check for the most up-to-date road and travel conditions. VDOT’s 511Virginia website and mobile app offer information about construction, traffic, incidents, and congestion, as well as access to traffic cameras, weather-related impacts and more,” according to VDOT.
The current project is part of Phase 1A of HREL Norfolk Segment construction that began in summer 2023. It involves converting I-64’s existing inside shoulder into a high-occupancy tolled express lane operating alongside three general-purpose lanes between Patrol Road and Tidewater Drive—a stretch covering two miles. Work also includes widening and rehabilitating several bridges along I-64.
Once complete, this segment will connect with a larger planned network of express lanes stretching approximately 45 miles along I-64 from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake. The network aims to address increasing regional traffic by providing dynamic tolling options alongside other interstate improvements.
For additional details about Hampton Roads Express Lanes projects or to sign up for updates, visit https://64expresslanes.org/.