The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in the US has issued a draft request for proposals for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project on Interstate 64.

The request is available to short-listed firms and the public to provide their opinion. It comprises instructions to develop individual approaches for delivering the HRBT Expansion Project as a design-build contract complying with the Public-Private Transportation Act.

The HRBT Expansion Project involves the construction of a new bridge-tunnel beside the existing HRBT.

It also involves widening the four-lane segments of I-64 in Hampton and Norfolk to reduce traffic congestion from the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads.

“Most of the funding for the project will be provided by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission.”

Currently, the HRBT’s existing four lanes support more than 100,000 vehicles per day during peak traffic times.

The project is estimated to cost from $3.3bn to $3.8bn, which may change when the scope of works is further refined.

Most of the funding for the project will be provided by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission. It is also expected to receive federal assistance and funding from other public resources.

In the next stage, all the potential alternative technical concepts to develop the HRBT project will be reviewed.

The final request is scheduled to be issued by the end of this year following review, while the contract will be awarded early next year.

Construction work is expected to begin subsequently and expected to be completed in 2024.

After completion, the expanded HRBT will become a part of a future regional Express Lanes network.