I-64 widening receives important federal approval

Published December 3, 2013 by Jessica Sabbath

The Federal Highway Administration has signed a final environmental impact statement to allow future widening of Interstate 64 between Richmond and Hampton.

Currently, $100 million is available under new transportation funding passed by the General Assembly earlier this year to widen a five-mile section of I-64 in Newport News. Under the project, the highway would be widened by one lane and a shoulder in each direction.

The plan requires the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization to include funding for this segment in its transportation improvement and long-range plans. After that, the FHWA would approve a Record of Decision for the project.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is pushing for a design-build advertisement by mid-2014 for widening in Newport News.