Hurricane Evacuation Guide

Interstate 64 Reversal

When Might Virginia Reverse the Direction of Traffic on I-64?

Cities and counties issue standard evacuations for their areas. A standard evacuation issued by a city or county does not
reverse traffic direction on I-64 – only the governor can issue a lane reversal.

The I-64 reversal plan begins just east of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel at mile marker 272 and ends at the I-295 Interchange in Richmond at mile marker 200.

In the Event of Lane Reversal on I-64:

I-64 westbound traffic traveling from Norfolk and Virginia Beach will shift onto what are normally the eastbound lanes of I-64 just before the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in Norfolk, near Willoughby Spit. Motorists will continue traveling on the eastbound lanes until they reach I-295 in Richmond.

There will be only two possible exits for traffic traveling on the reversed lanes between Norfolk and I-295:

• Exit 234 in Williamsburg, (Route 199) for gas, food, lodging and hospital
  
  
• Exit 205 in Bottoms Bridge for gas and food

A comfort station on I-64 near Jefferson Avenue and the rest areas in New Kent County will also be open.

If motorists traveling on the reversed lanes of I-64 exit at Exit 234 or Exit 205, they can use any normal entrance ramp to return to I-64 West lanes.

Traffic on reversed lanes cannot return to the reversed lanes once they exit, except at the New Kent County safety rest areas.

All traffic traveling in the westbound lanes of I-64 will be able to exit and enter the interstate as they normally would, though some entrance and exit ramps could be closed to smooth traffic flow onto the interstates and prevent bottlenecks.

No traffic will be allowed to travel east on the interstate during a reversal. All I-64 eastbound lanes and ramps between Norfolk and Richmond will be closed to eastbound traffic, from just east of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to I-295 in Richmond.

At the I-295 interchange:

• Motorists on I-64 West lanes must exit and use Interstate 295 North or South.
  
  
• Motorists on I-64 reversed lanes will cross over to I-64 West lanes and continue to the Interstate 95 interchanges.
  
  
• See Exit 200 map for more information

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In addition to hurricanes, I-64 might be reversed for other emergencies at the discretion of the governor.

During an evacuation, emergency plans call for:

• VDOT Safety Service Patrols to provide basic motorists assistance on the road or at the rest areas and comfort station
  
  
• Wreckers to be on standby along I-64 to move disabled cars and trucks out of travel lanes
  
  
• Vans to shuttle motorists whose vehicles become disabled to shelter locations
  
  
• Drinking water to be available at the New Kent safety rest areas, at the Jefferson Avenue comfort station and at the west Suffolk weigh station on Route 58.

Make an Evacuation Plan Before You Leave

If you evacuate, it is important to decide on a destination before you get in the car.

Try to make arrangements to stay with friends or family, or make reservations at a hotel or motel.

If you must stay at a shelter, remember to bring pillows, blankets, medications and other necessary items. T

he state has plans to open sheltering facilities throughout the commonwealth in the event of an evacuation. Emergency officials will announce details about shelter locations through the local media.

VDOT has an agreement with the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to encourage the use of their toll-free number during an evacuation. Motorists can call (800) 370-9004 or (804) 782-2777 for help finding lodging in the Richmond area.

  
For information about how to prepare for all types of emergencies, visit ReadyVirginia.gov.