RICHMOND, Va. — Getting from here to there on Interstate 64 this summer may take you longer than usual. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is set to begin two bridge projects in June that will require overnight and weekend lane closures. The bridges scheduled for work are the I-64 Shockoe Valley Bridge near mile marker 190 and the I-64 bridge over I-195 at the Bryan Park interchange near mile marker 186.
“The I-64 bridge restorations project will extend the life of the existing structures,” construction manager, Keith Rider, P.E., said. “Motorists will enjoy a much smoother driving surface on the Shockoe Valley Bridge by September and on I-64 over I-195 by next summer.”
Shockoe Valley Bridge work crews will rehabilitate the 65-year-old bridge, resurface the lanes and replace bridge joints. Lane closures are expected weeknights 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and weekends from 8 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays.
Want to miss the traffic? VDOT offered the following alternate routes:
From I-64 east (Goochland/Henrico):
- Route 288 south at exit 175 in Goochland to reach Chesterfield locations and to re-enter I-95 at exit 62
- Access I-295 at exit 177 to reach I-95 north or I-64 east of Richmond
- Access I-195 south at exit 186 in Richmond to reach downtown destinations, Route 76/Powhite Parkway Extension (toll) through Chesterfield County or the Downtown Expressway (toll).
From I-64 west (Henrico):
- Access I-295 at exit 200 to reach I-95 north/south or I-64 west of Richmond.
Crews working on the I-64 bridge over I-195 will rehabilitate the 48-year-old structure, replace deteriorating surfaces, repair structural steel, patch the substructure and replace guardrails with delineators and rumble strips. Construction, which began in March, is expected to be complete by summer 2016.
“Drivers should expect major delays and are strongly encouraged to use alternate routes or posted detours to bypass the construction near the Bryan Park interchange beginning in mid-June,” VDOT advised.
Through traffic from I-95 south (Henrico):
- Access I-295 at exit 84 to reach I-64 east/west or areas south of Richmond; through travelers can use I-295 south to bypass Richmond and re-enter I-95 south at exit 46 in Prince George County.
Through traffic from I-95 north (Prince George):
- Access I-295 at exit 46 to reach I-64 east/west or areas north of Richmond; through travelers can use I-295 north to bypass Richmond and re-enter I-95 north at exit 84 in Henrico County.
For a real-time look at traffic-conditions, click here.
