NORFOLK, VA — Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) joined Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster and local transportation leaders to highlight major infrastructure projects underway in Hampton Roads and discuss continued efforts to improve transportation throughout Coastal Virginia.

Congresswoman Kiggans and Administrator McMaster received a briefing from representatives of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project on ongoing work related to the HRBT Expansion and Hampton Roads Express Lanes.

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “Everyone from Hampton Roads knows how critical our tunnels, roads, and bridges are to everyday life. However, transportation infrastructure is more important than just getting from Point A to Point B. Not only does it support operations on our military installations and the movement of goods through the Port of Virginia, but it also keeps our shipyards and ship repair industry moving, connects our local businesses, and helps hardworking families get where they need to go.”

“At nearly $4 billion, the HRBT Expansion project is the largest highway construction undertaking in the Commonwealth’s history, and a great example of what we can accomplish with federal, state, and local collaboration. I’m grateful to Administrator McMaster for coming to Hampton Roads to witness the project firsthand and I look forward to continuing working with the Federal Highway Administration to ensure our region has the safe and reliable infrastructure it needs to thrive,” Kiggans concluded. 

The HRBT Expansion Project is widening approximately 10 miles of Interstate 64 between Norfolk and Hampton and constructing two new two-lane bored tunnels alongside the existing tunnels. Once completed, the corridor will expand from four lanes to eight lanes, including six general-purpose lanes and two Express Lanes. The project will help address one of the region’s most significant transportation bottlenecks while improving connectivity for commuters, freight, military personnel, and visitors.

Kiggans’ Work to Secure Transportation Priorities for Hampton Roads:

Since entering Congress, Congresswoman Kiggans has also worked to secure federal funding for transportation priorities throughout Virginia’s Second District, including:

• $3 million for Laskin Road Phase I-B in Virginia Beach,
• $3.04 million for preliminary engineering and environmental work for the King’s Highway Bridge replacement in Suffolk,
• And $1 million for flood-resiliency improvements to Pungo Ferry Road in Virginia Beach. 

Through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) applied for a loan of $310 million to finance related express lane projects. By December 2025, the loan had reached the final approval stages, but had yet to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Following contact from Congresswoman Kiggans’ office, USDOT announced in September 2026 that the loan would proceed, saving local taxpayers roughly $11 million.

Via FY26 federal-aid highway formula funding through FHWA, Virginia received approximately $1.46 billion to support highway construction, bridge improvements, safety, congestion reduction, and other transportation projects across the Commonwealth.

Other FY26 Virginia allocations include:

• Approximately $795 million through the National Highway Performance Program, 
• $387 million through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, 
• And $85 million through the Highway Safety Improvement Program.

As of September 30, 2025, there were 149 new federal-aid highway project commitments in Virginia’s Second Congressional District totaling approximately $219 million, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s district-level analysis of federal highway data. Major commitments include:

• $23.15 million for I-64 Southside widening/High Rise Bridge work, 
• $19.92 million for Elbow Road Phase 2C, 
• $13.22 million for Laskin Road Phase 1-A,
• And $13.14 million for Hampton Roads districtwide paving.

In January 2026, Rep. Kiggans voted in favor of a funding package that consisted of the remaining FY26 Appropriations bills, including funds for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD). The package included $64.323 billion in highway infrastructure. Read her press release here.