Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion

As the largest highway construction project in Virginia’s history, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion will transform the I-64 corridor in Norfolk and Hampton. The design-build project will create twin, two-lane bored tunnels to complement the existing four lanes, relieving congestion and speeding up travel times for the more than 100,000 vehicles that travel this 3.5-mile stretch every day.

Utilizing the tunnel boring machine (TBM) method of construction, the new tunnels are the first-ever bored vehicular tunnels in the state and only the fourth in the United States. Approximately 46 feet in diameter and 50 feet deeper than the existing tunnels, the transformative undertaking will create critical capacity for the highway’s continuous increase in traffic volume.

Additional features of the expansion include:

• Replacing or reconstructing more than two dozen bridge structures
• Four miles of landslide highway widening in Norfolk and one mile in Hampton
• Safety, drainage and noise mitigation upgrades for more than 28 bridges

As the project director and construction manager for this expansion, HNTB provides strategic vision and leadership to the entire VDOT team and supports the day-to-day oversight of the HRBT Expansion. The firm works to oversee a team of over 80 onsite VDOT staff, coordinate with permitting agencies, resolve technical issues and supervise change management and project controls to ensure a successful delivery.