I-64 / I-295 Interchange Modification Project Photos

I-64 / I-295 Interchange Modification Project Photos - January 2009

The following 45 photos were taken on January 11, 16 and 25, 2009 by Roads to the Future. Click on the photo to get a large version of the photo. The large photos have sizes ranging from 116 to 292 kilobytes, with most of them being under 185 kilobytes. With a broadband or network Internet connection each photo will download within seconds, but with a dial-up Internet connection it will be somewhat slower.

On January 12, 2009, the third lane on I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond) opened to traffic, from VA-288 to I-295, along with the 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp for the movement from eastbound I-64 to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk). One lane of the ramp opened initially, and one lane remains closed as of the April 28th update of this website article, as work is still underway on the underside of the bridge.

I-295 Flyover Ramp to Open Tonight, VDOT news release, Jan. 12, 2009. Excerpt (blue text):
Drivers along I-64 east in western Henrico County will soon enjoy faster and safer access to I-295 thanks to a new, two-lane flyover ramp and extra travel lane between Route 288 and I-295. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) expects to open one lane of the new flyover bridge to traffic by 8 p.m. The third travel lane along I-64 east will also open. The flyover ramp replaces the current loop from I-64 east to I-295 south. “The existing double traffic loop requires I-64 east drivers to maneuver around merging traffic in order to access I-295 south,” said project manager Ray Johnston. “We expect more than 14,000 drivers will use the new flyover ramp each day, greatly reducing congestion and the potential for crashes at this interchange.” Once the new flyover ramp is open, I-64 east motorists coming from Route 288 will have a dedicated travel lane to I-295. This extra lane increases I-64 east from two to three lanes. “Since opening Route 288 in 2004, eastbound traffic has increased 40 percent,” said Johnston. “Having this additional travel lane should cut down on congestion, particularly during morning rush hour.”

Photos below taken on January 11, 2009
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the merging lane for the two loop ramps that connect this roadway to I-295. Notice the truck warning signs.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the merging lane for the two loop ramps that connect this roadway to I-295. The concrete barricade on the right is for the construction operations for this project, as there is an open shoulder and roadside to the right of that lane. The eastbound I-295 bridge is no longer needed, and is being dismantled and removed, and that is the rear overpass.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the exit to the loop ramp from I-64 to I-295. This loop ramp will be replaced by the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp for the movement from eastbound I-64 (toward Richmond) to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk), and after the new ramp opens, this loop ramp will be demolished and obscured. Notice ahead the under construction fourth lane on the right, this will provide a continuous auxiliary lane between the loop ramp from I-295 to eastbound I-64 (toward Richmond), and that lane will extend to the US-250 Broad Street interchange.
Photos below taken on January 16, 2009
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), one half mile east of the VA-288 interchange, approaching the beginning of the I-64/I-295 Interchange Modification Project. There are two lanes on eastbound I-64 to the west of VA-288, and a third lane on the right from the VA-288 interchange, extends ahead, and formerly ended just ahead, and the current construction project begins near the overhead sign ahead. The third lane on the right constructed in the current construction project was opened to traffic on January 12, 2009, along with the new flyover bridge to I-295, and the third lane now extends seamlessly between the VA-288 and I-295 interchanges. This and the next 22 photos are in the same driving sequence, following I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond) to I-295 eastbound (toward Washington and Norfolk).
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), one half mile east of the VA-288 interchange, approaching the beginning of the I-64/I-295 Interchange Modification Project. The transition to the darker asphalt on the right lane, is where the project begins, and is the beginning of the newly constructed extended right lane. There are a sequence of 6 large green informational signs built in this project that direct traffic to the exit to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk), and this photo sequence shows all of them. The sign ahead is the first of the signs that specifically mention the exit to I-295.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), east of the VA-288 interchange. On the newly constructed extended right lane.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), east of the VA-288 interchange. A sound barrier has been constructed on the right, adjacent to a subdivision and apartment complexes. VDOT considered repaving the pre-existing I-64 mainline lanes in the project area (they need it) as part of this project, with a change order to the contract, but the contractor wanted about 60% more cost per ton of asphalt paving than what VDOT can perform in its maintenance repaving schedules, so VDOT plans to have the work performed in mid-2009 in a separate maintenance contract.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), east of the VA-288 interchange. A sound barrier has been constructed on the right, adjacent to a subdivision and apartment complexes. Notice the temporary Variable Message Sign (VMS), that is in place to notify motorists of the new traffic movement, which was 4 days old when this photo was taken.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the I-295 interchange. The beginning of the fourth lane to the right, is visible ahead, and the right two lanes will exit to I-295.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the I-295 interchange. On the newly constructed extended right lane. The beginning of the fourth lane to the right, is visible ahead, and the right two lanes will exit to I-295. That fourth lane is closed while minor construction is still under way on the flyover bridge, with one lane on the bridge open to traffic and one lane on the bridge closed to traffic.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the I-295 interchange. A few hundred yards ahead, the right two lanes exit to I-295. The VA-271 Pouncey Tract Road overpass is visible in the distance, and the flyover bridge from I-64 to I-295 is visible in the far distance.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the I-295 interchange. The right two lanes exit to I-295, and the gore point (the painted lines where the ramp diverges from the mainline roadway) is visible about 100 feet ahead. The flyover bridge is 1,765 feet long and 35 feet above I-64.
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp for the movement from eastbound I-64 (toward Richmond) to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk). This is a high-speed (design speed 101 kph or 63 mph) freeway-standard movement between the two Interstate highways.
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp for the movement from eastbound I-64 (toward Richmond) to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk). The single lane of traffic that is open, shifts from the left lane to the right lane. The minor construction still underway on the bridge, is on a pier under the left side of the bridge, and that requires the closure of the left lane so that a bucket truck can stop on the bridge and lower the bucket with a worker over the side of the bridge. This one-lane pattern is still in effect as of the January 26th release of this website article.
	Approaching the beginning of the flyover bridge. Notice at the middle of the photo, the joint between the elevated land approach pavement (black asphalt) and the reinforced concrete bridge deck (light beige color).
	On the flyover bridge. The camera's 2.7x telephoto lens exaggerates the horizontal curvature of the bridge. It is comfortably drivable at 60 mph.
	On the flyover bridge.
	Approaching the end of the flyover bridge. Notice at the middle of the photo, the joint between the reinforced concrete bridge deck (light beige color) and the elevated land approach pavement (black asphalt).
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp for the movement from eastbound I-64 (toward Richmond) to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk). On the elevated land approach that was constructed to merge into the eastbound roadway of I-295.
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp.
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp.
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp.
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp. The lane that merges in on the right, is the ramp from I-64 westbound (from Richmond) to I-295.
	On the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp. The lane that merges in on the right, is the ramp from I-64 westbound (from Richmond) to I-295.
	On I-295 eastbound (toward Washington and Norfolk).
	On I-295 eastbound (toward Washington and Norfolk). The end of this project, is the joint between the asphalt surface and the original concrete, visible at the middle of the photo. This the last of the 23 photos in the driving sequence, following I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond) to I-295 eastbound (toward Washington and Norfolk).
	I-64/I-295 interchange, the ramp from westbound I-295 to westbound I-64 (toward Charlottesville). This one-lane ramp is being widened to two lanes, and is being relocated in two places to provide a higher-speed alignment. The left lane of the new ramp is nearing completion, and the right lane is temporarily operating on the right shoulder. A sound barrier was constructed on the right, adjacent to a subdivision. This rebuilt ramp will have a design speed 110 kph or 68 mph. This and the next two photos are in the same driving sequence.
	I-64/I-295 interchange, the ramp from westbound I-295 to westbound I-64 (toward Charlottesville). The area in the curve ahead is one of the places where a ramp curve was lessened.
	I-64/I-295 interchange, the ramp from westbound I-295 to westbound I-64 (toward Charlottesville). The ramp merges into I-64 ahead.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the now closed exit to the loop ramp from I-64 to I-295. This loop ramp was replaced by the new 2-lane semi-directional flyover ramp for the movement from eastbound I-64 (toward Richmond) to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk), and that loop ramp is being demolished and obscured.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the now closed exit to the loop ramp from I-64 to I-295. Closer view showing the demolition of the reinforced concrete pavement. LATEST INFORMATION UPDATE follows
	I-295 westbound (toward Charlottesville) approaching the ramps to I-64 westbound and eastbound. The completed and opened eastbound flyover ramp bridge and elevated approach (toward Washington and Norfolk), is visible in the distance. This and the next 4 photos are in driving sequence.
	I-295 westbound approaching the ramps to I-64 westbound and eastbound. The inner lane of the 3-lane I-295 westbound roadway is on the other side of the concrete barricade, and was used for the I-295 temporary roadway, during construction of the flyover bridge, for the interchange ramp movement from eastbound I-64 to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk). The completed and opened eastbound flyover ramp bridge and elevated approach, is visible in the distance.
	I-295 westbound approaching the ramp to I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond). The completed and opened eastbound flyover ramp bridge and elevated approach is ahead.
	I-295 westbound approaching the ramp to I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond). The completed and opened eastbound flyover ramp bridge and elevated approach is ahead.
	I-295 westbound approaching the ramp to I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond). The completed and opened eastbound flyover ramp bridge and elevated approach is ahead.

The following 9 photos were added in the April 28th update of this article.

Photos below taken on January 25, 2009
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), one mile east of the VA-288 interchange. There are two lanes on eastbound I-64 to the west of VA-288, and a third lane on the right from the VA-288 interchange, extends ahead. The third lane on the right was constructed in the current construction project and was opened to traffic on January 12, 2009, along with the new flyover bridge to I-295, and the third lane now extends seamlessly between the VA-288 and I-295 interchanges. A sound barrier has been constructed on the right, adjacent to a subdivision and apartment complexes. This and the next 8 photos are in the same driving sequence.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), east of the VA-288 interchange. A sound barrier has been constructed on the right, adjacent to a subdivision and apartment complexes.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), east of the VA-288 interchange. A sound barrier has been constructed on the right, adjacent to a subdivision and apartment complexes.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the I-295 interchange. The newly constructed extended right lane is to the right. The beginning of the fourth lane to the right, is visible ahead, and the right two lanes will exit to I-295. That fourth lane is closed while minor construction is still underway on the flyover bridge, with one lane on the bridge open to traffic and one lane on the bridge closed to traffic.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the I-295 interchange. A hundred yards ahead, the right two lanes exit to I-295. The VA-271 Pouncey Tract Road overpass is visible ahead, and the flyover bridge from I-64 to I-295 is visible in the distance.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), approaching the completed and opened 2-lane ramp from eastbound I-64 to eastbound I-295 (toward Washington and Norfolk). This is just past the gore point where the ramp diverged from the mainline of I-64, and this driving sequence continues on I-64 eastbound. The VA-271 Pouncey Tract Road overpass is ahead, and it was replaced with a 4-lane bridge that is long enough to span the widened I-64 approaches, as part of this project.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), passing the completed and opened 2-lane ramp from eastbound I-64 to eastbound I-295. The flyover bridge is the higher bridge, and the original I-295 bridges are at the lower bridge level. Notice the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining walls constructed on the earthen fill approach to the flyover bridge. The end of the retaining wall structure has the abutment (bridge terminal structure) where the bridge begins.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), passing the completed and opened 2-lane ramp from eastbound I-64 to eastbound I-295. The flyover bridge is the higher bridge, and the original I-295 bridges are at the lower bridge level.
	I-64 eastbound (toward Richmond), passing under the I-295 overpass bridges. Upon the opening of the new flyover bridge, the eastbound I-295 bridge is no longer needed, and is being dismantled and removed, and that is the rear overpass.

Lead article - I-64/I-295 Interchange Modification Project

Roads to the Future photos by Scott Kozel.

This article was released on January 26th with 31 photos, 3 photos taken on January 11th and 28 photos taken on January 16th. The April 28th update added 5 photos to the bottom of the January 16th group, and added 9 photos for January 25th.

By Scott M. Kozel, Roads to the Future

(Created 1-26-2009, updated 4-28-2009)