NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A contractor has been picked to help the Virginia Department of Transportation expand the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
Gov. Ralph Northam’s office announced Friday in a press release that Hampton Roads Connector Partners was selected, with the start date for the project in April 2019 and a finish date of Nov. 1, 2025.
Hampton Roads Connector Partners delivered the “best value proposal based on bid price and technical score” of the two design-build teams that submitted comprehensive proposals for the project, Northam’s office said.
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The expansion will add two new two-lane tunnels to the two existing tunnels of the HRBT, and also widen Interstate 64 on both sides of the tunnel.
“This project supports and expands critical transportation infrastructure, creating opportunity for families, military personnel, and businesses in the Hampton Roads region,” said Governor Northam in the release. “I am proud of the hard work and negotiations that have taken place over this past year to deliver significant improvements that will relieve daily congestion, increase safety, and drive economic growth throughout this important corridor.”
With a fixed price of $3.3 billion, the expansion is projected to be the largest construction project in VDOT’s history. More than 100,000 vehicles travel the HRBT during peak travel periods, VDOT says.
“Today’s announcement signals a major milestone in this generational project that will improve accessibility throughout the region,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “VDOT is committed to collaborating with regional partners across the Commonwealth to deliver transportation solutions that work for the citizens in the communities we serve.”