This article is part of a daily series of MegaProjects articles. If you want to know more about PPP projects with a considerable size visit our MegaProjects section. You can receive them by email on a daily basis.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in coordination with the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC), has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit private-sector interest in and feedback on a potential opportunity to deliver the proposed I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project.

VDOT is the owner of the existing and proposed Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnels, as well as the delivery agent for the project. HRTAC is the funding agent for the project.

The I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in southeastern Virginia has long been one of the region’s most congested corridors. The existing 3.5-mile facility consists of two 2-lane immersed-tube tunnels on artificial islands, with trestle bridges to shore. These tunnels opened in 1957 (current westbound lanes) and 1976 (eastbound lanes) and are approximately 7,500 feet long. Traffic on these four lanes exceeds 100,000 vehicles per day during peak summer traffic.

The project will ease this congestion by widening the four-lane segments of the I-64 corridor in the cities of Hampton and Norfolk. The project cost amounts to US$3.3 billion, including owner's costs and contingency.

In December 2016, the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved “Alternative A” as the preferred alternative, laying the groundwork to complete the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and request a Record of Decision in summer 2017.

Alternative A consists of improvements to the I-64 corridor between I-664 in Hampton and I-564 in Norfolk to provide consistent six-lane capacity throughout the corridor. This work includes a new Hampton Roads crossing generally parallel to the existing Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. In addition to tunnel and marine bridge work, the scope for Alternative A also includes pavement and structure widening, bridge reconstruction, drainage improvements and noise walls.

Depending on the selected delivery method, the project scope may also include any combination of financing, operations, and/or maintenance.

For further information, click here.