Contractor crews will begin implementing a long-term single-lane closure on I-64 east near Victory Boulevard (exit 256) in Newport News as early as Aug. 26, as construction continues on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes (HREL) Newport News Segment, VDOT announced. Once in place, I-64 east will be reduced from four travel lanes to three through the Victory Boulevard interchange through early fall 2026, while crews lengthen the acceleration lane at the Victory Boulevard northbound on-ramp to I-64 east.
To implement the lane reduction, crews will temporarily close up to two lanes on I-64 east at Victory Boulevard overnight for up to two nights starting as early as Aug. 26, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Access to all Victory Boulevard ramps will be maintained during this work. VDOT said all work is weather- and schedule-dependent and the schedule is subject to change. The agency reminded motorists to use caution near work zones, obey posted speed limits, follow lane markings and barrier guides, watch for digital message signs, and drive distraction-free, and suggested checking 511 Virginia traffic tools or the Waze app before traveling.
VDOT said the HREL Newport News Segment spans about 11.5 miles on I-64, from just east of LaSalle Avenue (exit 265) in Hampton to 1.2 miles west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News. For 10.5 miles of the segment, from just west of Jefferson Avenue (exit 255) to I-664 (exit 264), the existing HOV lane in each direction will be converted into an Express Lane alongside three general purpose lanes.
For the final mile of the segment, between I-664 and LaSalle Avenue, one general purpose lane in each direction will be converted into an Express Lane alongside two general purpose lanes. VDOT said the Newport News Segment will become part of an overall 45-mile high-occupancy toll Express Lanes network on I-64, extending from west of Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News to the I-264/I-664 Bowers Hill interchange in Chesapeake.
In other news:
Government
Central District Town Hall to Be Set for September 1 with Coleman and Long Newport News City Councilmen Rob Coleman and Cleon Long will host a Central District Town Hall on September 1, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the City Center Building, 700 Town Center Drive, in the James Room on the first floor. The event gives Newport News residents a chance to hear updates on district and city projects and to share their own concerns directly with local elected officials shaping community decisions.
Education
Newport News Names New Student Representatives to School Board for 2026-2027 Newport News Public Schools announced that Cameron Smith, a senior at Warwick High School, will serve as Student Representative to the Newport News School Board for the 2026-2027 year, with Hopeton Bailey of An Achievable Dream Middle and High School serving as the new Alternate Student Representative. Both are class presidents active in honor societies and community service. Smith took his oath at the August 18 meeting, while Bailey will be sworn in September 15, and both will co-lead student advisory meetings with the superintendent.
Newport News Public Schools Welcomes Students Back for New School Year Newport News Public Schools reported that students, teachers and staff across the district’s 40 schools celebrated a warm first day on August 24 to start the 2026-2027 school year. Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell toured schools starting at Woodside High School, and Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones greeted students at Greenwood Elementary. New principals took over at Hines Middle, Gildersleeve Middle and Saunders Elementary, while veteran and new teachers alike expressed enthusiasm for building relationships and supporting students throughout the district.
Mayor Phillip Jones Welcomes Newport News Students on First Day The City of Newport News reported that Mayor Phillip Jones visited Greenwood Elementary School on August 24 to greet students on the first day of the 2026-2027 school year. Jones highlighted recent city investments in local schools, including two million dollars in student technology funding, two million dollars in annual bus replacements, and three million dollars for daily operations. School Board Chairman Dr. Terri Best praised the partnership between the city and Newport News Public Schools as key to student success.
Military
Newport News Built Submarine USS Massachusetts Completes Navy Trials ExchangeMonitor reported that the Navy completed shakedown trials on the USS Massachusetts on August 17, waiving its post shakedown availability period due to the submarine’s strong material condition. HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding first delivered the vessel in November 2025 before it was commissioned in March. Navy leaders praised the ship’s readiness and said the move lets the Newport News shipbuilding workforce focus on constructing the next generation of Virginia class submarines instead.
Business
BayPort Credit Union Opens Sixth Virginia Beach Branch on Pacific Avenue BayPort CU, in a company press release, announced that the Newport News based credit union opened its sixth Virginia Beach branch, its first at the Oceanfront, located at 3012 Pacific Avenue. Founded in 1928 by shipyard workers from Newport News Shipbuilding, BayPort now holds $2.7 billion in assets across 31 Virginia branches. The expansion follows the company’s recent shift to a federal charter, allowing growth beyond its original Newport News based footprint while it continues serving over 18,000 members in Virginia Beach.
Community & Services
Mariners’ Museum unveils newly conserved ancient Mediterranean amphora artifact The Mariners’ Museum and Park Conservation Department has put on display a newly conserved ancient amphora from the Mediterranean region. This artifact, which raises as many questions as it answers, represents an important tool used in trade for thousands of years.
THRIVE Peninsula to host ice cream social Friday to thank volunteers THRIVE Peninsula is hosting an ice cream social on Friday, August 28 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM to thank its volunteers and supporters for their contributions to the organization. The event offers an afternoon of community connection and celebration.
Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board to host 55th anniversary gala The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board announced its 55th anniversary gala, set for Saturday, October 3rd at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner and presentations beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $100 each, and organizers request RSVPs by Friday, September 18th.
Featured Sponsor
Dog Street Press LLC is an independent media company based in Williamsburg, VA, and the publisher of Newport News Daily and the Williamsburg Independent. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.