Tidewater Drive Reopens Northbound Lanes in Norfolk

The restoration of two traffic lanes ends months of congestion for local business operators and commuters.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Construction

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting highway infrastructure integration with geometric overpass forms in navy and cream, representing municipal transport improvements. — All northbound lanes on Tidewater Drive in Norfolk have reopened following the completion of critical bridge widening and road rehabilitation projects. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Contractor crews have officially reopened all northbound travel lanes on Tidewater Drive near the I-64 overpass in Norfolk. The completion of this work marks the end of nearly a year of single-lane restrictions that have impacted traffic flow for local businesses and commuters.

Why it matters

The reopening follows significant bridge widening and roadway rehabilitation necessary to integrate the local infrastructure into the larger Hampton Roads Express Lanes project. This infrastructure shift is intended to improve long-term traffic throughput, though operators should anticipate periodic temporary closures as the project continues.

Crews restored two northbound travel lanes on Tidewater Drive following a restriction that began in November 2024. The work is part of a broader two-mile I-64 project stretch within a planned 45-mile regional express lanes network.

The players

Hampton Roads Express Lanes

A regional infrastructure initiative designed to manage traffic congestion through a continuous network of tolled lanes.

The details

The Norfolk Segment 1A project, which launched in summer 2023, involves converting the inside shoulder of I-64 into a tolled express lane. The recent activity included extensive bridge widening and rehabilitation on I-64 overpasses to accommodate this configuration. These physical modifications are part of a multi-phase strategy to manage regional congestion by linking the network from the Bowers Hill interchange to Denbigh Boulevard.

Summer 2023: The Norfolk Segment 1A project began.
November 2024: Northbound Tidewater Drive lane restriction began.
September 21, 2026: Southbound travel lanes on Tidewater Drive reopened.
October 9, 2026: Northbound Tidewater Drive travel lanes reopened.

Market Landscape

This development follows the pattern set by the Hampton Roads Express Lanes project to modernize regional traffic management. The segment is a critical node in a larger infrastructure cycle aimed at reducing transit times across the metropolitan area.

Operators in Norfolk should adjust delivery and transit expectations now that normal lane capacity has been restored to Tidewater Drive. Monitor official project notices for future temporary closures near the I-64 overpass that could intermittently disrupt local access.

The takeaway

The return of full lane capacity to Tidewater Drive reduces a significant bottleneck for Norfolk businesses reliant on consistent freight or client transit times. Operators should continue to track the broader rollout of the 45-mile express lanes network to anticipate long-term changes in traffic flow.