JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Starting Spring 2016, the Virginia Department of Transportation began the first of a three-segment, six-year construction project designed to widen Interstate 64.
According to VDOT, the first operationally independent segment in Newport News will span approximately 5.6 miles, from west of Route 143, Jefferson Avenue, exit 255, just east of Route 238, Yorktown Road, exit 247.
This corridor of I-64 ties into an eight-lane interstate system to the east and is currently the most congested section of I-64 on the Peninsula.
With more than 100,000 motor vehicles travelling through the corridor daily, the project can cause serious delays or even stop traffic during rush hour for many commuters travelling to and from Fort Eustis.
While a majority of the work will occur in the median of the interstate, drivers are still encouraged to maintain the lowered speed limit of 55 miles per hour and remain vigilant while changing lanes and passing construction workers.
"Orange cones, no phones," said Paula Miller, Hampton Roads district communications manager for the VDOT. "Even though all drivers should be using hands-free devices while operating a vehicle, it is especially important to be aware of your surroundings when driving through a work zone. As you are on your way home, remember that our workers want to go home at night, too."
To avoid both vehicle accidents and traffic, Fort Eustis commuters are encouraged to take alternate routes to alleviate the congestion that forms at the bottleneck.
Listed are alternate routes to and from Fort Eustis.
· If travelling from Fort Eustis and heading westbound, take Route 60 West to the Busch Gardens Ramp, then get back on to I-64 West.
· If travelling from Fort Eustis and heading westbound, take Jefferson Ave, Route 143, West until you re-enter I-64 West at Exit 247 (Lee Hall).
· Going I-64 eastbound from Fort Eustis, take Jefferson Ave, route 143 East, to exit 255 towards VA Beach and Hampton to go around the influx of traffic going east.
· Going I-64 eastbound from Fort Eustis, travel down Fort Eustis Blvd until Route 17 South. Continue until I-64 East at Exit 258.
· Also, to go around the influx of traffic if headed West, travel down Fort Eustis Blvd until Route 17 North, then continue North until the Colonial Parkway. Take the Colonial Parkway to Route 199 West back to I-64 West.
Commuters are also encouraged to check for traffic delays through the free traffic information tools such as their Twitter, @I64VA.
For more information on the construction project, visit
http://i64widening.org/learn_more/default.asp.