Construction Nov. 2013Dec. 2016
Creating an efficient, connected transportation network
Martin Luther King (MLK) Extension
Project SummaryThe Elizabeth River Tunnels (ERT) Project
involves design, build, finance and operations and maintenance
activities for approximately 50 lane miles of roadway to
include:
New two-lane tunnel adjacent to the existing Midtown Tunnel.
Interchange improvements in Norfolk at Brambleton Ave./Hampton
Blvd.
Extending the MLK Freeway in Portsmouth from London Blvd. to
I-264 with a partial interchange at High St.
Rehabilitation of the existing Midtown and Downtown tunnels.
MLK Extension BenefitsExtending the MLK Freeway from London
Blvd. to I-264 with a partial interchange at High St. will:
Provide more direct access between the Midtown and Downtown
tunnels.
Add a shorter, more direct route to the Downtown Tunnel from
Portsmouth.
Allow motorists to easily choose between the Midtown or Downtown
tunnels.
Better communicate traffic conditions via changeable message
signs on the MLK Freeway.
MLK Tolling RatesTolling on the MLK Freeway will begin once the
extension is complete. For more information on tolling rates for
the MLK Extension, visit our FAQ page on www.driveERT.com.
A vehicle taking a local trip in Portsmouth entering or exiting
the MLK Extension from the High St. or London Blvd. ramps will not
pay a toll.Portsmouth
Norfolk
264
Elizabeth River
337
460
ERC Headquarters
Customer Service Center
164
5858
For Information about the Elizabeth River Tunnels Project:
VisitDriveERT.com Call1-855-ERT-ROAD(378-7623)
Social Media:
Twitter:@DriveERT
YouTube:DriveERT
Flickr:DriveERT
For real time traffic information:
511virginia.org
HighwayAdvisoryRadio(HAR):1680AM
VDOTTrafficInfoLine:757-361-3016
New Construction
Operations & Maintenance
Additional Incident Response Areas
Project Area
GO
DW
IN ST.
ELM AVE.
DUKE ST.
DES M
OIN
ES AVE.
SOUTH ST.
SOUTH ST.
FREDERICK BLVD.
N&P Belt Line Railroad
FREDERICK BLVD.
EFFING
HAM
ST.
PORTSMOUTH BLVD.
HIGH ST.
QUEEN ST.
LIVERPOOL ST.
MAC
ARTH
UR A
VE.
MEANDER RD.
LONDON BLVD.
KING ST.
COUNTY ST.
HARBO
R DR.
TURN
PIKE R
D.
58
Lane closuresI-264 East (Beginning 4th Quarter 2013)
Right lane and right shoulder closed between Portsmouth Blvd.
and east of Des Moines Ave.
I-264 West (Beginning 1st Quarter 2014) Right lane and right
shoulder closed from east
of Des Moines Ave. to east of Frederick Blvd.
Ramp closures Permanent closure of I-264 East Des Moines
Ave. off-ramp in 4th Quarter 2013.
Permanent closure of I-264 West South St. on-ramp in 1st Quarter
2014.
Temporary closure of the Frederick Blvd. off-ramp from I-264
East for up to 18 months in 1st Quarter 2014.
Detours
Des Moines Ave. Off-ramp From I-264 East:
Take the I-264 East Effingham St. ramp.
South St. On-ramp From South St.:
Travel east toward the Effingham St. on-ramp to access I-264
West. Specific detour routes for both vehicular and truck traffic
can be found on DriveERT.com.
Frederick Blvd. Off-ramp From I-264 East:
Take the I-264 East Portsmouth Blvd. ramp.
Additional Closures and Detours for Construction Activities
Short-term closure of London Blvd. East on-ramp to MLK Freeway
North in 4th Quarter 2013.
Short-term closure of MLK Freeway South off-ramp to London Blvd.
East in 4th Quarter 2013.
Permanent closure of Harbor Dr. corridor to through traffic in
2nd Quarter 2014.
Re-configuration of MacArthur Ave. with connection to Queen St.
in 2nd Quarter 2014.
No access to Harbor Dr. from Queen St. begins in 2nd Quarter
2014.
Re-configuration of King St. to County St. with connection to
Meander Rd. in 3rd Quarter 2014.
MLK Construction Overview
A
B
A
C
A
B
C
C
B
A
C
B
Pedestrian Bridge ImprovementsThe pedestrian bridge near
Frederick Blvd. will close for up to nine months in 2nd Quarter
2014 for removal and replacement.
Portsmouth Blvd. Interchange
Frederick Blvd. Interchange
Effingham St. Interchange
Future MLK Extension
MLKFreeway
Future MLK Extension
LegendRamp closure (permanent)
Ramp closure (temporary)
Lane/road closure
New road construction
New MLK construction
Detour ramps
South St. On-ramp
Des Moines Ave. Off-ramp
Portsmouth
City of Portsmouth