Old Dominion News

Starting on April 6, contractor crews working for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) plan to initiate a long-term traffic shift on Interstate 64 west from the area east of the Route 199 Lightfoot exit (exit 234) to the New Kent/James City County line. This shift is required for roadway widening as part of the "Segment C" segment of the I-64 Gap Widening project.

The operation will begin around April 6, with an anticipated two weeks of overnight lane closures. These closures will occur from Sunday to Saturday, starting as early as 7 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m. the next morning. The traffic shift involves setting up a temporary barrier and moving traffic five feet to the right. This configuration is expected to remain until the summer of 2026. A similar shift was put in place along eastbound I-64 in March.

The project spans nine miles and includes widening and rehabilitating the pavement of I-64, repairing and widening two bridges over Six Mount Zion Road, and paving the Lightfoot Park and Ride lot in York County. Additional components involve implementing overhead signage, advanced traffic management technology systems, sound barrier walls, retaining walls, and storm drainage culverts and pipes.

The I-64 Gap Widening projects are split into three segments, labeled Segments A, B, and C. Each segment is constructed as an independent project designed to improve connectivity between Richmond and Hampton Roads. The overall goal is to alleviate congestion and enhance safety along this stretch by widening about 29 miles of travel lanes, adding a third 12-foot wide lane and 10-foot wide paved shoulders in both directions. The I-64 corridor currently has only two lanes in each direction and connects to parts at both ends with three lanes, thus creating "the gap."

The I-64 Gap Segment C Widening Project is slated for completion in late 2027.