News Release

National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration to Begin Next Phase of Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation

NPS

News Release Date: March 8, 2024

Colonial National Historical Park Press Release

 

News Release Date: March 8, 2024 – For Immediate Release
Contact: John Warren | [phone]

National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration to Begin Next Phase of Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation

 

Yorktown, VA- Colonial National Historical Park, thanks to funding secured through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), is currently repairing historic Colonial Parkway within the park. This significant investment will revitalize infrastructure that has served for up to 90 years,ensuring its functionality for the next 40 to 50 years.

The project is wrapping up its first major phase of construction. The next phase will begin in early April. This phase will have a new set of closures and detours that the traveling public, including bicyclists and pedestrians, needs to know.

The new set will include closure of the parkway from the Ringfield Pullout on Felgate’s Creek to the Penniman Road Bridge near VA 199. As a result, visitors will not be able to travel on the Colonial Parkway in either direction between Yorktown and VA Route 199. Visitors should follow posted detour signs as appropriate depending on their destination. Visitors may still access the parkway at Fusiliers Road to enjoy scenic pull-outs along the York River, but they will need to travel back to Fusiliers Road to exit the parkway.

The current closures from Ballard Street in Yorktown to Fusiliers Road and both US Highway 17 access ramps remain in effect through this phase of the project. Additionally, the parkway will remain closed from near VA Route 199 in Williamsburg to, and including, the Williamsburg tunnel. During this phase, this closure will extend from the tunnel to include the North England Street access ramp. All traffic, including local traffic, must exit at VA Route 132Y.

“We are so thankful for the GAOA funding that has been provided to rehabilitate the Colonial Parkway and reduce the Park’s maintenance backlog,” said Superintendent Jerri Marr. “We understand the impact of the closures and appreciate visitors' patience as we continue the work of this incredibly important infrastructure project. For the safety of visitors and workers, please adhere to posted speed limits and pay attention to the information provided on the electronic variable message signs, detour signs, caution signs and closure signs. All visitors should be on the lookout for construction workers, vehicles, equipment and any traffic stoppages or lane closures along the parkway.”

The overall project scope includes the rehabilitation of exposed aggregate pavement, repair of eleven bridges and rehabilitation of the Williamsburg Tunnel. Additionally, the work enhances climate resilience through improved stormwater management, reconditioned shoulders and ditches, enlarged culverts and armored drainage channels. The project also preserves the cultural landscape by replicating historic exposed aggregate pavement, brick bridges and culvert headwalls.

Residents, stakeholders and those interested in learning more about the rehabilitation— including project accomplishments, closures and detours, future phases and public safety topics—are invited to attend an Informational Public Meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at:

Quarterpath Recreation Center
Multi-Purpose Room 2
202 Quarterpath Road
Williamsburg, VA 23185

The meeting will follow an Open House format, with brief presentations at 6:30 p.m. and at 7:15 p.m. The Recreation Center is accessible, with available parking and accessible spaces in the meeting rooms.

For those unable to attend in person, accessible project information will be available on the Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation website following the meeting.

The Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation website offers project news, updates and information on closures, detours and other impacts.

To learn more about Colonial National Historical Park and Colonial Parkway, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/colo/index.htm

-NPS-

About Colonial National Historical Park: Colonial National Historical Park comprises two areas. Jamestown is where the English established their first colony in North America in 1607. Yorktown is where American and French troops defeated the British in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. Learn more at www.nps.gov/colo.

About the National Park Service:  More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube