Colonial Parkway/NPS file

A three-year construction project set to begin August 14 will make major repairs to Colonial Parkway in Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia, encompassing roughly 10 miles of roadway and 11 bridges.

The project, funded with $123 million from the Great American Outdoors Act, is said to be the first major, holistic rehabilitation project for the parkway since its full length opened to traffic in 1957. 

The first phase of construction will include closure of the parkway from Ballard Street in Yorktown to Fusiliers Road, which will remain open. The Route 17 access ramps will be closed. Work in this area will also include replacement of the bridge deck over Route 17.

Additionally, the parkway will be closed from Route 199 (south of the Williamsburg Tunnel) to and including the tunnel. The North England Street access ramp will remain open to local traffic and Colonial Williamsburg buses through Spring 2024. Work in this area will include replacement of the exposed aggregate concrete roadway slabs. 

“We appreciate motorists' awareness and patience as this first phase of this incredibly important infrastructure project begins,” said Superintendent Jerri Marr. “We encourage all visitors to stay safe. Please pay attention to the information provided on the electronic variable message signs, detour signs and caution signs.  For everyone’s safety, motorists should be on the lookout for construction workers, vehicles, equipment, and any traffic stoppages or lane closures along the parkway.”

The entire project includes the rehabilitation of approximately 10 miles of parkway and 11 bridges, including the replacement of two bridge decks, repairs to the Williamsburg Tunnel, and rehabilitation of the stormwater drainage systems. Construction will last three years and is scheduled to be complete by June 30, 2026, in time to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday that year.

You can find additional details about the project at this site.

Originally designed in the 1930s and completed in 1957, Colonial Parkway  is  a 23-mile scenic roadway that embodies the characteristics of a modern parkway. The use of curving alignments, limited access, and designed plantings provide a pleasurable driving experience between Yorktown Battlefield in Yorktown, Virginia, and Historic Jamestown Island, along James River, according to the National Park Service. The parkway links Virginia's historic triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown and is used by millions of travelers annually to access and enjoy the area’s natural and cultural beauty.