Proposed

What's Being Done

The Hampton Roads Third Crossing Study was initiated in late 1993 to investigate methods of improving mobility across Hampton Roads and relieving congestion at the Interstate 64 Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.

Features

Several alternatives were considered in selecting a crossing design. The Commonwealth Transportation board reviewed these Corridors in 1997 and selected Corridor 9. Corridor 9 involves the following:

• Widening I-664 in Newport News to eight lanes
  
• Constructing two new tubes parallel to the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel, adding four more lanes for travel
  
• Constructing an additional new multimodal tube to add transit/rail lines from the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel to near the Norfolk Naval Station
  
• Adding a new four-lane highway connector from the new bridge tunnel to the Western Freeway in Portsmouth
  
• Widening I-664 to six lanes from the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel to the Bowers Hill interchange

Benefits

• Reduces congestion in the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel by 17 percent
  
• Addresses existing and future origin and destination patterns
  
• Improves total mobility across Hampton Roads
  
• Provides new access to Norfolk International Terminals and Naval Base
  
• Improves access to the Newport News Marine Terminal and Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company
  
• Improves access to the Portsmouth Marine Terminal and Portsmouth Naval facilities
  
• Connects to existing expressways on the Peninsula and Southside

Project Status
A Final Environmental Impact Statement was prepared in 2000 evaluating the impact of building a new crossing of Hampton Roads.

In 2002, the General Assembly offered a ballot referendum involving a 1 percent increase in sales tax throughout the region to fund six new projects, including the Third Crossing. The referendum failed.

VDOT is still looking for ways to fund this project and several others in the Hampton Roads region. There is no funding in the foreseeable future.

Background

• 1993 – Study was initiated
  
• 1997 – The CTB endorsed Corridor 9
  
• 1998 – VDOT began the EIS and Location Study
  
• 2000 – VDOT completed the EIS
  
• 2002 – Funding for the project was included in a voter referendum, which was not passed by voters
  
• For further details click here.
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Project Updates

In accordance with the Implementation Guidelines, dated April 2001, adopted by VDOT under the Act, VDOT established that the posting period for this proposal beginning July 9, 2004 and ending at 5 P.M. on October 8, 2004.

VDOT recieved two proposals during this period. Both Fluor Virginia,Inc. and Skanska/Washington/BAM (SWB)submitted proposals for this project. Both proposals estimate that they can deliver the Third Hampton Roads Crossing project as described in the project FEIS for approximately $3.2 billion.

The Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) of 1995 allows private entities to enter into agreements to construct, improve, maintain and operate transportation facilities.

Why is this road being built?

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Hampton Roads Crossing Study.

Third Hampton Roads Crossing Conceptual Proposal

Contacts

Harry Kenyon, APR, 757-925-1660