NEWPORT NEWS – Improvements to the busy intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Thimble Shoals Boulevard are now complete. Earlier this month, contractors for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the City of Newport News completed upgrading the intersection of Jefferson Avenue (Route 143) and Thimble Shoals Boulevard leading into the City Center at Oyster Point.

Howard Brothers Contractor, Inc. from Providence Forge, Virginia started work in August 2007 and finished the project on the scheduled completion date of May 8, 2008. The contract was also completed within the original contract amount of $1.7 million.     

During the intersection reconstruction, VDOT and the City of Newport News worked together to add needed maintenance paving to Jefferson Avenue beyond the original project limits. Crews coordinated traffic shifts and paving work for the project with the additional maintenance work being preformed by the city, resulting in less overall inconvenience to the traveling public.

The dual state and city funded project included:

·        Constructing a left turn lane from Jefferson Avenue south into the City Center at Oyster Point, creating a double left turn at the intersection from Jefferson Avenue south onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard

·        Adding a dedicated right turn lane from Jefferson Avenue north onto Thimble Shoals Boulevard

·        Creating a dedicated right turn lane from Thimble Shoals Boulevard onto Jefferson Avenue north

·        Additional Safety improvements including installation of sidewalks and pedestrian signal controls

·        Repaving of Jefferson Avenue in the vicinity of City Center

Drivers should note that the work zone speed limits have been removed.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.