Don't know all that much about this project but typically these older US routes in the Eastern states don't connect up with the endpoints the way you'd like them to. So, when you decide to improve them to provide better access you usually end up spending a lot more than you need to and can actually build an entirely new road for the same amount.
I've driven that road numerous times BTW, and it's pretty empty ~ except at the end points. As I recall it runs through the public housing slumway up at Petersburg, and equally interesting areas down toward Portsmouth. I do know that we had massive opposition to building Fairfax Parkway ~ and now it's the third busiest road in Northern Virginia.
The existing road is 4 lanes, but it is not divided. Makes no difference in the argument, just making the correction. Other than the 3 towns it goes through (Ivor, Wakefield, and Waverly), which are 1-2 stop light twons, it is 55 MPH throughout the 55 mile stretch and there are no current traffic congestion issues. The road isn’t needed. I drive the section from Ivor to Petersburg often as I live in Newport News and have family near Petersburg. It will be a cold day in hell before I take the toll road.