Warner & Kaine Applaud Groundbreaking of I-64 Widening Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) applauded the groundbreaking of the I-64 Gap Widening Project, which will reduce congestion, increase safety, and improve travel times to and from Richmond and Hampton Roads. Warner and Kaine have worked to secure federal funding to make these improvements to I-64, including through the historic highway funding allocated to Virginia in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). They also secured $25 million through the competitive Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program made possible by the BIL to expand I-64 in New Kent County. The project was further enhanced by a $143 million federal loan for the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission to widen I-64. The loan was approved through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, which the BIL reauthorized and expanded. Virginia’s strong fiscal position to invest in the I-64 Gap improvements was made possible by the American Rescue Plan and BIL, both strongly supported by the senators.
“We’re thrilled that we’re one step closer to widening I-64 to make it easier to travel, reduce congestion, and improve safety,” said the senators. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and American Rescue Plan, critical transportation projects like this one are finally materializing. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts this will have for Virginians.”
Warner and Kaine have long prioritized improvements to I-64. The BIL included at least $7 billion for Virginia highways over five years. This highway funding has helped spur Virginia’s investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in I-64 improvements that are underway with the Virginia Department of Transportation. The BIL, authored in part by Warner and made possible by both senators, included Kaine’s bipartisan legislation to streamline the application process for TIFIA loans, helping more Virginia communities access TIFIA financing.
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