Henrico County rolls out major summer infrastructure upgrades and utility expansions

The Henrico County Department of Public Works and Department of Public Utilities have announced a comprehensive lineup of infrastructure improvements, utility expansions, and safety initiatives across the county's five magisterial districts for the summer 2026 construction season.

Backed by millions of dollars in federal and local funding, the county is pushing forward with major bridge replacements, pedestrian safety improvements and a significant expansion of basic utilities. 

Countywide projects and seasonal information

Henrico County is executing a major infrastructure enhancing initiative by expanding its public refuse collection service to previously unserved areas. The first phase of this countywide trash expansion began June 1, targeting unserved neighborhoods within the Three Chopt, Tuckahoe, and Varina districts, while phase two is slated to begin in 2027. The weekly service costs $18 per month and includes the delivery of a county refuse container.

Environmental and safety hazards also are drawing county attention.

A statewide drought warning is currently in effect. While mandatory water restrictions are not currently active, officials are urging residents to voluntarily conserve water by shortening showers and disabling automatic lawn sprinklers. To protect regional flows, the Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek is prepared to release water into the James River at the request of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. 

Looking ahead, changes to the residential vacuum leaf program are coming in the 2026-27 season. Fees will increase to $50 for the initial first and second orders, while additional orders will cost $100. The vacuum collection will run through the fall and winter seasons via Really Clean Streets, while standard bagged leaf collection remains available at no cost. 

District-by-district projects

Brookland District

The Brookland District is undergoing extensive utility upgrades and infrastructure enhancements.

Pedestrian safety and infrastructure enhancement: The Bethlehem Road pedestrian and traffic improvements project remains under construction. Due to unforeseen utility conflicts, the associated road closure has been extended past its original target date, detouring traffic via Dickens Road, West Broad Street, and Libbie Avenue. Concurrently, the Hermitage Road pedestrian improvements are moving forward with a scheduled completion this fall.

Bridge construction: Bridge repairs are moving forward at two locations: the Greenwood Road bridge repair is scheduled for completion this fall, and the Parham Road bridge repair is projected to wrap up in spring 2027.

Extensions and Sewer Installations: Crew members are working on the American Rescue Plan Act-funded Old Washington Highway sewer and water extension. The project, which requires a total road closure between Mill and Mountain roads through late 2026, will successfully transition local properties off private wells and septic systems.

Traffic calming: Neighborhood speed bumps are planned for installation on Darnell Road, Quail Roost Drive, Hungary Woods Drive and Huron Avenue.

Fairfield District

The Fairfield District features a significant concentration of upcoming projects and long-term trunk sewer installations.

Sewer installations and water improvements: The multi-million linear foot Upham Brook trunk sewer installation and the East Highland Park sewer rehabilitation (Phase 1) are both actively under construction with projected completions in 2027. Additionally, the Virginia Center Commons sewer and water main replacement project is currently replacing 2,110 linear feet of sewer main and 2,630 linear feet of water main. 

Extensions and bridge construction: Active construction continues on the Magellan Parkway and St. Charles Road extensions, alongside the Magellan Parkway pedestrian bridge over Interstate 95. Magellan Parkway is currently closed to through traffic between Level Green Lane and Park Central Drive through spring 2027. 

Traffic calming: Roadway safety measures will see the addition of speed bumps across 10 separate local corridors, including North Run Road, Pennsylvania Avenue, St. Charles Road, and Springdale Road.

Three Chopt District

The Three Chopt District has a mix of newly completed roadways and active utility extensions.

Sewer and water improvements: Construction continues on the ARPA-funded West Ridge sewer and water improvements, slated to finish in early 2027, and the Westin Estates sewer improvements, set to conclude this fall. 

Extensions and sewer installations: The Liesfeld Farm Drive extension is scheduled to finish in spring 2027. For major sewer installations, Phase II of the Tuckahoe Creek trunk sewer installation is actively placing lines from Kain Road to Stonehurst Estates Terrace to eliminate local septic reliance. Phase I of the trunk sewer is officially complete. 

Infrastructure enhancements and traffic calming: The Sadler Road improvements project is under construction through 2027, with an active roundabout build underway at Sadler Road and Sadler Grove Road. Recent traffic calming achievements include the completed pedestrian improvements on Graham Meadows Road and the completed Three Chopt and Eastridge Roads intersection improvements. Future speed bumps are slated for Causeway Drive, Prescott Place, and Grey Oaks Place. 

Tuckahoe District

Public Works teams are prioritizing pedestrian safety and localized water main replacements.

Sewer and water improvements: The Ridgecrest water main replacement project is currently installing 2,375 linear feet of new water main along Rolando Drive, Holly Hill Road, St. Michaels Lane, and Townley Road, with completion anticipated in 2027. 

Pedestrian safety and traffic calming: Crews are currently installing a dedicated sidewalk along the western side of North Parham Road between Holly Hill Road and Weldon Drive. Furthermore, neighborhood traffic calming will be enhanced via future speed bump placements on Ziontown Road, Edenburry Drive, Cambridge Drive, and Capehart Road. 

Varina District

In Eastern Henrico, county officials are focusing heavily on neighborhood utility updates and basic pedestrian assets

Sewer and water improvements: Multiple federally-funded American Rescue Plan Act projects are currently in construction to transition homes from private wells and septic setups to county service, including the Evergreen Road and Taylor Road improvements, the Greendale Park extension, and Phase II of the Hanover Road and Early Street main extension. The Colonial Court area water rehabilitation project is replacing 1,300 linear feet of main. 

Pedestrian safety and traffic calming: Pedestrian safety improvements along Beulah Road are actively moving forward. Planned neighborhood traffic calming measures feature speed bump installations across 13 distinct streets, including Merle Street, National Street, and Brandonview Avenue. 

Upcoming projects and construction starting soon

A high volume of heavy civil construction projects are scheduled to break ground shortly:

Fairfield District: Construction starting this summer includes the Lakeside Avenue Bridge Replacement, the Richmond-Henrico Turnpike Improvements, and the Villa Park phase of the regional Fall Line Trail. Phase 2 of the East Highland Park sewer rehabilitation will begin this fall. 

Varina District: The Mary Street sewer rehabilitation (2,550 linear feet) and the Williamsburg Road water main installation (5,120 linear feet) are both starting this summer. 

Three Chopt District: The North Innsbrook and Cox Road water main extension is scheduled to begin this fall, adding a critical 12-inch water main loop. 

Tuckahoe District: Construction will begin this summer on the Maybeury Drive turn lane at Patterson Avenue, which adds a right-turn lane and a new sidewalk near Maybeury Elementary School. 

'Word on the Street' podcast coming soon

To increase public education, the county is launching an official "Word on the Street" podcast this summer featuring Public Utilities Director Bentley Chan and Public Works Director Terrell Hughes. Word on the Street newsletters are sent out via email and give monthly project updates, as well as traffic impacts and surveys for potential upcoming projects. Each version is customized to the five Henrico County districts.

Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.