The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion project is entering a crucial phase in 2025, which officials call the “most meaningful” year for the region’s drivers. The $4 billion initiative, which began in 2020 and is slated for completion in early 2027, is designed to ease congestion along the four-mile span connecting Norfolk and Hampton. Once finished, the bridge-tunnel will double its capacity from four to eight lanes, with two newly built tunnels handling eastbound traffic while the existing tunnels accommodate westbound travel.
HRBT Expansion Plan: More Lanes, Smoother Travel
The project will also introduce high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, with solo drivers given the option to pay a toll to use them. A major milestone was reached in April 2024 when the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) tunnel-boring machine, ‘Mary,’ completed the first tunnel. Work on the second tunnel is now underway, with a breakthrough expected by late summer or early fall. Once excavation is complete, crews will begin outfitting the tunnels for public use.
New Traffic Shifts and Infrastructure Upgrades
In addition to tunnel construction, significant traffic shifts will occur in 2025. A newly built eastbound trestle bridge leading into Norfolk will open, designed to extend the structure’s lifespan by reducing saltwater exposure while also improving drainage and maintaining highway speeds. Meanwhile, existing bridges will be dismantled and repurposed for artificial reef construction.
Long-Term Benefits for Hampton Roads Commuters
Project Director Ryan Banas is confident that the expansion will drastically reduce congestion, pointing to the success of similar infrastructure projects such as the Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk and the High Rise Bridge in Chesapeake. Officials are optimistic that these improvements will provide lasting benefits, making one of the region’s busiest travel corridors more efficient, reliable, and sustainable for years to come.
