Beginning March 18, building crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) started construction on a roadway improvement effort encompassing a portion of Wythe Creek Road/Virginia Highway 172 in Hampton and Poquoson in the southeastern part of the state.
The overall estimated cost of the road and bridge project is $78.6 million, with $53.8 million to be spent on its construction.
Officials with VDOT's Hampton Roads District office said the primary purpose of the project is to raise the existing causeway elevation over Wythe Creek for emergency evacuation and to widen the roadway, causeway and bridge to accommodate future traffic volumes.
In Poquoson, an 8-ft.-wide sidewalk will be constructed on the east side of Wythe Creek Road, along with a 5-ft.-wide walkway on its west side, from the Cary's Chapel Road intersection to the northern project limit of the project approximately 2,000 ft. south of Victory Boulevard. The existing two lanes will be retained north of Cary's Chapel in Poquoson.
The Hampton portion of the work includes widening Wythe Creek Road to three lanes, installing curbs and gutters, and adding a 10-ft. sidewalk to the east side of the expanded roadway.
Once completed, the project also will have provided a three-lane reversible roadway in Hampton, with two lanes being operated in the southbound direction during the morning rush hours, and two lanes in the northbound direction during the afternoon commute. In the off-peak traffic hours, the center lane will operate as a two-way center left turn lane, according to VDOT.
Reversible traffic lanes add capacity to a road and decrease congestion by borrowing capacity from the other direction, described the transportation agency. Reversing lanes also reduce congestion during morning and evening commutes, when there is an incident blocking a lane of traffic, or when construction or maintenance is being done on the road.
Wythe Creek Road's reversible lanes in Hampton will use a combination of static signs, dynamic message signs, dynamic lane use control signals and pavement markings. By employing a combination of these traffic control devices, VDOT said drivers will stay informed which lanes are open or closed for their given direction of travel.
Other planned improvements along the north-south roadway include:
- Construction of a new and higher 1,545-ft.-long bridge over the Northwest Branch Back River between Poquoson and Hampton to bring Wythe Creek Road's elevation above the 100-year flood plan to ensure safe evacuation during tidal events.
- Installation of a new signal at the intersection of Cary's Chapel Road and modification of the existing signals at the Voyager Drive and Langley Boulevard intersections.
- Repurposing the existing roadway over the causeway to a sidewalk/multi-use path to provide continuous pedestrian access within the project area.
- Installation of additional street lighting and improved roadway drainage throughout the corridor.
VDOT also noted that the average daily traffic count along Wythe Creek Road is approximately 16,000 vehicles per day.
The $53.8 million construction contract was awarded to Toano, Va.-based Bryant Structures Inc. in late February.
Construction is estimated to be complete as early as the autumn of 2027. All work is weather- and schedule-dependent; therefore, this schedule is subject to change.
VDOT added that during construction, motorists may encounter traffic shifts and lane closures on Wythe Creek Road and Cary's Chapel Road, but access to all businesses and residential properties will be maintained at all times. Additionally, marine access on Northwest Branch Back River also will remain open.
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