FAQs > About the Project

What are the parts of the project?

There are five key parts to the Project:

• a new two-lane tunnel under the Elizabeth River parallel to the existing Midtown Tunnel;
• maintenance and safety improvements to the existing Midtown Tunnel;
• modifications to the interchange at Brambleton Avenue/Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk;
• maintenance and safety improvements to the existing Downtown Tunnel;
• And, extending the MLK from London Boulevard to Interstate 264 (I-264), with an interchange at High Street.

What are the benefits of the project?

The Project brings a number of direct benefits to the citizens, communities and businesses of the Hampton Roads region including:

• Increased capacity and reduced congestion;
• Improved reliability and reduced travel times;
• Reduced auto emissions;
• Additional evacuation capacity in the event of an emergency; and,
• The project will create hundreds of jobs and spur much needed economic development.

Why this project?

The Downtown Tunnel, Midtown Tunnel, MLK Extension Project is central to addressing the region’s transportation needs. The Project has been at the top of the region’s priorities for many years, but due to funding constraints, the Commonwealth has not been able to undertake or fully fund and support the initiative. The Project has received all the necessary environmental permits and ERC is ready to move forward with its construction.

Who is ERC?

ERC’s lead firms, Skanska Infrastructure Development and Macquarie Group, are two of the most experienced PPP developers and infrastructure investors and operators in the world. Each is a leader in infrastructure design, creation and management and both have existing operations in Virginia. As a result of their vast experience, ERC members are at the leading edge of infrastructure technology and would bring that technology as well as bring unrivalled design and construction expertise to the Project. ERC’s financial strength and global PPP experience, combined with technical expertise and operational excellence, make it the ideal partner to bring VDOT’s vision to life.