I-295 proposed as a loop around most of Richmond 1968 Official

I-295 proposed to head much further south 1980 Official

I-295 opens as a functioning I-64 bypass 1981 Official

In Oct 1988 (Kozel), I-295 was extended south from I-64/US 60 to VA 5.
In July 1990 (Kozel), I-295 was extended south to VA 10.
In Jan 1992 (Kozel), I-295 was extended south to VA 36 Hopewell.
In June 1992 (Kozel), I-295 was extended south back to I-95.

I-295 open from I-64 to VA 5 1989 Official

I-295 open VA 5 to VA 10 1991 Official

I-295 open VA 10 to I-95 1992 Official

Improvements:  I-295 was built as 6-lanes from I-64 Short Pump to I-95; 8-lanes from I-95 to I-64/US 60; 6-lanes from I-64/US 60 to VA 36; 4-lanes from VA 36 to I-95
I-295 has never been widened anywhere other than adding transition lanes from VA 10 to the newly constructed SR 618 interchange in 2012.
All interchanges on I-295 were built as cloverleafs except at its endpoints. The I-64/US 60 interchange is actually two separate cloverleafs with 2-mile long C/D lanes.
New exits have been constructed at VA 895 (trumpet opening in 2002) and SR 618 north of VA 10 (diamond but designed to be expandable opened in 2012)
A new flyover was opened in 2001 from I-295 SB to I-64 EB. The original loop ramp that made this movement remains open.
A new flyover was opened in 2009 from I-64 EB in Short Pump to I-295 EB. The old loop ramp for this movement was removed. Construction photos are available from Scott Kozel's website.
Posted:  Fully posted; few if any state-named shields remain anywhere.
Multiplexes:  None
Legislative names:  Korean War Veterans Memorial Hwy, entire length (since 3-9-00)
Frederick T Gray Bridges over the Appomattox River, since 4-8-98; Varina-Enon Bridge over the James River, since 9-18-86; Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Kenneth Eugene Clodfeller USS Cole Bridge, VA 156 overpass of I-295 Mechanicsville, since 9-20-01
Other names:  None
Scenic Byway:  No segments
Comments: There were 2 exits on the original I-295 plan that did not get built - Charles City Rd and Varina Rd. The Varina Rd interchange was on the original I-295 alignment to connect with VA 288.
When the I-295 Richmond Beltway was redesigned to also bypass Petersburg in the mid 1970s, the plan also included building an interstate freeway west from the current south end of I-295 to I-85. Then I-85 would be re-routed onto this new freeway segment. Current I-85 north to Petersburg would have become I-385. I-295 would become I-95 and the original I-95 north to Petersburg would become I-795. I-385 and I-795 would have ended at the same interchange while the Richmond-Petersburg Tpk became a state route up to I-64 in Richmond. Although project numbers for I-295's completion heading southward all referenced I-95, when the new freeway reached I-95 it was continued to be signed as I-295. Virginia never did build the freeway segment west back to I-85
I-295 blows off VA 156 (Mechanicsville) and VA 106
I-295 appears to have had no exit numbers until it was finished in its entirety to I-95 south of Petersburg...thus there were no sequential exit numbers anywhere.
Some photos of the impressive I-295's cable-stayed bridge over the James River can be seen here.
I-295 is Virginia's longest 3di. It is a rare road that was built to accommodate expanding traffic volumes - even today I-295 is almost never crowded.