NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is alerting motorists about new traffic patterns on parts of Tidewater Drive and East Little Creek Road in Norfolk, where they intersect with I-64.

This is part of the first phase of construction projects for the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Norfolk Segment. 

The anticipated lane shift schedule provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is as follows:

  • As early as overnight Nov. 13, traffic in both directions on Tidewater Drive at the I-64 overpass will be shifted right from the inside toward the outside of the roadway. 
  • As early as overnight Nov. 14, traffic in both directions on Little Creek Road at the I-64 overpass will be shifted right from the inside toward the outside of the roadway. 

Both of these lane shifts are estimated to be in place until spring 2025. 

Image: Traffic on Tidewater Drive in both directions at the I-64 overpass will shift toward the outside of the roadway. 
Image: Traffic on Little Creek Road in both directions at the I-64 overpass will shift toward the outside of the roadway. 

According to a news release from VDOT, these traffic impacts previously implemented for this project remain in place:  

  • the long-term, full ramp closure from southbound Tidewater Drive to I-64 east, with a new left turn provided at Thole Street to access to I-64 east, estimated to be in place through early 2026. 
  • the single-lane reduction for through traffic in each direction on Tidewater Drive at the I-64 overpass, estimated to be in place until spring 2025. 
  • traffic reduction to two lanes for through traffic in each direction on Little Creek Road at the I-64 overpass, estimated to be in place until spring 2025. 
  • a shortened merge area at the northbound Tidewater Drive on-ramp to I-64 west, estimated to be in place through mid-2025. 

This work is part of the first phase of first phase of HREL Norfolk Segment construction project. Construction began in summer 2023 and involves converting the existing inside shoulder along I-64 into a high-occupancy tolled, part-time shoulder Express Lane for two miles between Patrol Road and Tidewater Drive.

This HREL Norfolk Segment will ultimately become a part of an overall continuous 45-mile high-occupancy toll Express Lanes network on I-64, from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake.

For more information on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes projects visit 64expresslanes.org.