VTrans2025 Multimodal Investment Network (min) Statement Route 64 Corridor I. Introduction

The I-64 widening projects in the Richmond District extend from approximately 1 mile West of the Airport Drive interchange (Exit 197) to approximately 1 mile East of the Rte 33 interchange (Exit 220) at the New Kent / James City County Line.

This project will provide a free flowing directional ramp (flyover) from southbound I-295 to eastbound I-64. This ramp was completed and opened to traffic in April of 2001.

The design is under way for a segment of I-64 from West of Airport Drive to East of I-295. This project will provide one additional lane in each direction. Since the design effort is in its early phases, the details of the improvements have yet to be determined. The design will consider collector-distributor roads at all interchanges, sound walls at appropriate locations, storm water management, and is expected to require minimal additional right-of-way. 

The segment of I-64 from East of I-295 to East of Rte 249 is in the early phases of design. This improvement will provide two additional lanes in each direction. While design details are not yet available, it is envisioned that the project will consider sound walls at appropriate locations, storm water management, modification of the Rte 249 interchange, and some additional right-of-way. 

Design work has not yet begun on the segments of I-64 from East of Rte 249 to the New Kent/James City County Line. It is likely that these improvements will provide one additional lane in each direction. The projected date for construction is in the second half of 2004.

Source: VDOT

In addition to road enhancements rail improvements are also being considered for the I64 Corridor.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) contracted with the Parsons Transportation Group (PTG) to evaluate the potential for high-speed rail service in the Richmond-Petersburg-South Hampton Roads Corridor. The study evaluated the requirements, and developed an overall long-range track configuration, alignment plan, and operating plan that would support the requirements of all potential users of the rail line. The corridor may be considered a natural extension of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR)1 running from Petersburg to the South Hampton Roads area. The route would extend between Main Street Station in Richmond and a terminal station near the Harbor Park baseball stadium in downtown Norfolk. It would make use of a combination of CSX Transportation (CSXT) and Norfolk Southern (NS) rail lines;2 CSXT between Richmond and Petersburg and in the Hampton Roads area; and NS between Petersburg and Norfolk.

The proposed Richmond - South Hampton Roads high-speed rail service would provide stations located conveniently to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and other communities south of Hampton Roads. The current bridge-tunnel link between the Newport News Amtrak station and south side of Hampton Roads, a connecting bus, provides a somewhat circuitous and often congested route to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. New stations on the south side would require much shorter and more reliable access times and make service convenient to more

Source: DRPT

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  Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
  
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  Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT)
  

Mr. Tom Hawthorne

Richmond District Administrator

Virginia Department of Transportation

2400 Pine Forest Drive

Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834-9002

vehicles per day. This volume is expected to increase to78,500 vehicles per day by the design year 2025.

To effectively and efficiently develop a market, the following critical tasks were undertaken to ensure that informed choices are made: rider ship forecasts were developed; operating scenarios were analyzed; facility options were evaluated; and potential environmental constraints were analyzed.

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  Provide capacity for increased intermodal traffic between the Newport News and Hampton to Richmond, Virginia
  
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  Provide traffic lanes for High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV)
  
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  Provide alternative modes of transportation for passengers and freight
  
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  Minimize adverse environmental impacts along corridor
  
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  During construction, all reasonable efforts will be made to protect the environment with respect to dust control, siltation and erosion.
  
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  Enhance capabilities for hurricane evacuation from the Hampton Roads region
  
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  Storm water management facilities will be incorporated into this project.
  
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  Construction will conform to the nationwide best management practices (BMP), VDOT specifications and special provisions, and the Virginia Department of Soil and Water Conservation regulations.
  
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  The design of the roadway will be in accordance with criteria and guidelines, which have been established for the Interstate roadway system.
  
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  Improve access; safety and traffic flow along 2.51 miles of I-64 between the I-664 split and Hampton Roads Center Parkway including the Mercury Boulevard interchange and the Magruder Boulevard exit.
  

Source: VDOT

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  The DRPT is actively pursuing significant increases in intercity rail passenger service throughout the state. All of the corridors being evaluated include Richmond’s Main Street Station as the hub for these services. Presently, Main Street Station is closed, although Amtrak service to Newport News uses the eastern-most station tracks. The City of Richmond has purchased the station from the Commonwealth and is currently renovating the facility. The city is working with DRPT and Amtrak to re-institute rail passenger service into and through the station.