JAMES CITY — Big changes are coming to Interstate 64 in western James City County, and motorists are already seeing the transformation.
The Virginia Department of Transportation, along with design-build team Allan Myers and Wagman Heavy Civil, held an informational ӽ紫ý May 6 near Toano to showcase the changes citizens can expect to see on a local stretch of I-64 over the next two years. The project includes the addition of one lane of travel in each direction and other improvements.
Crews began work in April on a section of I-64 between mile marker 233 and the James City/New Kent County line. The 9-mile stretch — referred to as Segment C — is the third of three sections of the interstate between the Historic Triangle and metro Richmond that are being widened from two lanes to three in each direction. Work began on Segment A in 2023 and Segment B the following year.
The five-year, $759 million I-64 Gap Widening Project is intended to alleviate congestion, improve safety and facilitate travel and commerce in central and southeastern Virginia. Segment C will cost roughly $174 million and is expected to be completed in fall 2027. When all three segments are complete, I-64 between Hampton Roads and Interstate 295 will be at least three lanes both eastbound and westbound.
As with Segments A and B in New Kent County, a majority of the new lane construction for Segment C in James City County will take place in the median. Tree removal and earth moving is already underway, although VDOT project manager Dow Lasitter said that tree removal will stop between May 15 and July 31 because of a requirement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serve to protect two species of bats — the northern long-eared bat and the tricolored bat. Work on culverts, bridges and other infrastructure will continue during the pause in land clearing.
Wagman’s Mike Mansfield, the project’s construction manager, said work will begin on the westernmost part of Segment C near the James City/New Kent line and proceed eastward. Crews will undertake land clearing then grading prior to installation of the hard surfaces.
The bridges over Six Mount Zion Road will be widened, and pavement beneath two overpasses will be replaced to increase overhead clearance. Mansfield said that there will be some nighttime work when lanes and ramps need to be closed and shifted, but most of the construction activities will take place during the daytime.
In addition to improvements to the roadway, the project may include the construction of a sound wall depending on nearby residents’ preferences. VDOT noise abatement coordinator Ross Hudnall said studies determined that a 1,400-foot noise barrier was “warranted, reasonable and feasible” beside I-64 eastbound near Rochambeau Drive and Cloverleaf Lane.
According to Hudnall, surveys will be sent via certified mail to residents who live beside the proposed sound wall. If 50% or more of respondents are in favor of the noise barrier, it will be built.
Another improvement included in the project is the enhancement of the Lightfoot Park and Ride commuter parking lot located on East Rochambeau Drive. The parking area will be resurfaced. No such improvement is planned for the Croaker Road Park and Ride.
Overall, VDOT’s hope is to have as little disruption as possible to the landscape and people’s daily lives, Lassiter said. “We’re minimizing impacts as much as possible, but it’s unavoidable in some places,” he said.
More information about the project is available online at . Questions about the project can be emailed to I64GapWidening@allanmyers.com.
Ben Swenson, ben.swenson05@gmail.com
