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Northampton Boulevard in Norfolk is one of the most congested intersections in the city. When IKEA looked to locate its new store here, the traffic volume was a concern. However, new Northampton Boulevard IKEA intersection improvements by the state will make life easier for shoppers.
The state’s fix to the congestion problem close to the I-64 intersection is set to be completed by May 2018, reported the Virginian-Pilot. That’s well ahead of IKEA’s proposed opening date.
Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said traffic congestion was a potential impediment to IKEA bringing its store to Norfolk.
Statistics suggest more than 77,000 vehicles a day use the busy Northampton Boulevard IKEA intersection around I-64.
The project will boost the on-ramp capacity of the intersection and eliminate the difficult weaving movements on Northampton Boulevard which leads to so many wrecks.
The project will add a “T” intersection allowing drivers on eastbound I-64 to go west on Northampton toward IKEA. At the current exit they can only go east toward Virginia Beach.
The Pilot highlighted how the off-ramp from I-64 westbound will be widened from two to five lanes. Drivers will be able to go east toward the new outlets or to the west in the direction of IKEA.
The on-ramp to the westbound lanes will be extended. It’s a project that will be finished alongside an intersection improvement approximately a mile west at Military Highway. That improvement is also scheduled for May 2018.
In the past, we have noted how building projects threatened to increase congestion on Northampton Boulevard.
Northampton Boulevard experiences high levels of congestion at key times like the morning and evening commutes.
Often congestion leads to driver frustration and more accidents. Earlier this year, a man was charged with hit-and-run over a serious crash on Northampton Boulevard.
A report on WAVY.com stated a motorcyclist was traveling west on Northampton Boulevard approaching a green light at Bayside Road when a Lincoln SUV suddenly turned right onto Northampton Boulevard, directly into the motorcyclist’s path.
The motorcycle struck the back of the SUV and its rider was taken to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, according to police.
If you have been hurt in a wreck on Northampton Boulevard or elsewhere in Hampton Roads, please call our experienced personal injury lawyers at (757) 455-0077.