Interchange improvement project begins on I-95 near Belvidere St.

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A project aiming to improve safety and traffic flow in Richmond began on Tuesday

The Virginia Department of Transportation closed the ramp from N. Belvidere Street (Route 1/301) north to I-95 south - near the Siegel Center.

VDOT says the interchange will remain closed until early 2024 as part of an ongoing interchange improvement project.

“The reason for the closure is to improve safety and traffic flow,” said Kyle Gibson, a spokesperson for VDOT.

The project will realign the on-ramp from Belvidere Street to I-95 south/I-64 east and remove an existing ramp from Brook Road. VDOT says crosswalk improvements near the start of the ramp will also increase pedestrian safety and accessibility in the area.

At the same time of this closure, Gibson said the previously closed ramp from N. Belvidere Street south to I-95 south will reopen to traffic.

“That ramp will be part of the new detour from the northbound route,” he said.

The following detours will be in place for vehicles and trucks:

• Passenger vehicle detour – Take N. Belvidere St. (Rt. 1/301) north to Mitchell St. Make a U-turn onto N. Belvidere St. south to the ramp to I-95 south.
• Truck detour – Take N. Belvidere St. (Rt. 1/301) to I-95 north to Hermitage Road south (Exit 78) to Robin Hood Road to the ramp to I-95 south.

VDOT is asking drivers to be patient as people adjust to the new traffic flow.

“Make sure you’re following the guiding signs, and just remember this is also a work zone,” he told NBC12. “Work zones are a sign for drivers to slow down and just be aware for anyone who may be working in the area, or anywhere really, on Virginia’s highways.”

Weather permitting, the closure is expected to be in place until early 2024.

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