Editorial: More traffic is coming to New Kent via Interstate 64

Discussion and comments were received Tuesday night about the widening of Interstate 64 from exit 200 (Interstate 295) in Henrico to exit 205 (Bottoms Bridge) in New Kent. Even though I wasn’t there, I can say that the proposal may have good intentions, but it’s not going to solve the problems.

When I receive alerts from Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) or Virginia State Police (VSP) about accidents in the area, the ones that occur along Interstate 64 in our area take place in New Kent County. Nobody wants to see accidents, but expansion of Interstate 64 to just Bottoms Bridge is just asking for more congestion and trouble for the residents of New Kent and those who travel along that highway.

New Kent and Interstate 64 is the connecting thoroughfare between Richmond and the Hampton Roads area. With 20 miles of interstate and four exits, it garners a lot of traffic. Traffic that does exit Interstate 295 and head eastbound to Interstate 64 can be heavy at times but adding only five miles to alleviate traffic conditions just doesn’t seem like a thing that will work.

When I look at the plan, the first thing I think about the Jefferson Avenue exit in Newport News (exit 255) heading westbound. For several years, the road heading towards Richmond consisted of four lanes, but once you passed exit 255, the road narrowed to two lanes in less than two miles. Hence, that area had been dubbed “the bottleneck” for several years. Both VDOT and Hampton Roads officials recognized this, as a massive overhaul of the roads saw the expansion of the interstate to three lanes. Currently, the three lanes continue to exit 247, with construction continuing to continue it to three lanes until passing exit 241.

I believe the bottleneck effect will occur with the widening of Interstate 64 eastbound right at the 205-mile marker with this plan. I know the plan must start somewhere, but this will only cause more headaches for the New Kent area.

Residents and motorists need to prepare now. Interstate 64 will be the start of a lot of headaches for years to come, along with alternative routes. There is no way to avoid this, but know that commute to get home may take a few minutes longer.