Henrico rolls out fall public works projects – from pedestrian safety to clean energy
Infrastructure modernization, pedestrian safety and seasonal environmental initiatives are priorities across Henrico County this October as the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) roll out autumn projects and public engagement efforts.
Across Henrico this month, the DPW and DPU are emphasizing multi-modal pedestrian enhancements in tandem with National Pedestrian Safety Month, clean water and sewer line extensions supported by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and federal grant funding.
For Energy Awareness Month, there are renewable energy expansion projects.
As temperatures dip and leaves start to fall, public services are gearing up routine fall services like leaf collection.
Henrico projects currently under construction by geography:
Brookland District
• Old Washington Highway sewer and water extension projects involve replacing private wells and septic systems with county water and sewer mains. Old Washington Highway remains closed between Mill and Mountain roads with traffic detoured via Mountain, Mill, Woodman and Greenwood roads. Scheduled for completion in late 2026.
• Parham Road bridge repair: Structural repairs scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
• Shrader Road sidewalk: Installing sidewalk along both sides of Shrader Road between East Parham Road and Eunice Drive. Scheduled for completion in early 2027.
• Bethlehem Road pedestrian and traffic improvements: Work is ongoing, though Bethlehem Road has been temporarily reopened until contractors return. Final completion is set for 2027.
• Greenwood Road bridge repair: Recently completed.
Fairfield District
• East Highland Park sewer rehabilitation (Phases 1 & 2): Phase 1 rehabilitates 13,400 linear feet of sewer main (completion 2027), while Phase 2 rehabilitates 8 miles of sewer main (completion summer 2028).
• Fall Line Trail (Villa Park Phase): Regional multi-use trail construction scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
• Magellan Parkway pedestrian bridge over I-95: Bridge construction over Interstate 95 scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
• Magellan Parkway and St. Charles Road extensions: Road extensions under construction through 2027. Magellan Parkway is closed between Level Green Lane and Park Central Drive through spring 2027.
• Upham Brook trunk sewer installation: Major sewer trunk line installation scheduled for completion in 2027.
• Virginia Center Commons sewer and water main replacement: Replacing 2,110 linear feet of sewer main and 2,630 linear feet of water main, concluding in 2027.
Three Chopt District
• Liesfeld Farm Drive Extension: Extension work scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
• Sadler Road improvements: Realigning and upgrading Sadler Road. Sadler Road is closed to through traffic between Willow Gate Drive and Sadler Crest subdivision, with a detour via Cox Road through summer.
• Tuckahoe Creek trunk sewer installation (Phase II): Adding sewer line from Kain Road to Stonehurst Estates Terrace to transition homes off septic. Scheduled for completion by late 2026.
• West Ridge and Westin Estates sewer and water: ARPA-funded projects converting homes on private systems to public utilities. Westin Estates completes in fall 2026, while West Ridge completes in early 2027.
• Wyndham Park Drive and Dominion Club Drive roundabout: Intersection safety improvements include speed limit reductions, solar intersection lighting, all-way stops, pedestrian crosswalks, bike lanes, roundabouts which are scheduled for completion in early 2027.
Tuckahoe District
• Countywide pedestrian signals (Phase 2): Installing two pedestrian hybrid beacons on Three Chopt Road near Douglas S. Freeman High School and Tuckahoe Middle School by late 2026.
• Eastridge Road sidewalk: Constructing sidewalk along the north side of Eastridge Road from North Parham Road, wrapping up by early winter 2026.
• North Parham Road Sidewalk: Installing sidewalk along the west side of North Parham Road between Holly Hill Road and Weldon Drive.
• Ridgecrest water main replacement: Replacing 2,375 linear feet of water main along Rolando Drive, Holly Hill Road, St. Michaels Lane and Townley Road through 2027.
Varina District
• Colonial Court area water rehabilitation: Replacing 1,300 linear feet of water main, scheduled for completion in 2027.
• Mary Street sewer rehabilitation: Replacing 2,550 linear feet of sewer main through summer 2027.
• Williamsburg Road water main installation: Adding 5,120 linear feet of water main along Williamsburg Road, finishing in summer 2027.
Forthcoming infrastructure projects across Henrico
• Traffic calming and speed bumps: Speed bumps are being installed across numerous neighborhoods. Locations include Libbie Mill Library, Walton Farms Drive, Stoneman Road, Bunche Street and Hagan Road in Brookland; Fayette Avenue (replacement), Apollo Road, Austin Avenue, Pruett Court, Pruett Lane (replacement), Koch Avenue, Willomett Avenue, Sterling Forest Parkway, Goodell Road, Byron Street, Norfolk Street, Trio Street and Maudlin Street in Fairfield; Copperas Lane, Kain Road, Gayton Station Boulevard and Gayton Bluffs Lane in Three Chopt; Ziontown Road, Henrico Avenue, University Boulevard, Dinwiddie Avenue, Roslyn Hills Drive, Lakewater Drive, Poplar Forest Drive and Carterwood Road in Tuckahoe; and A.P. Hill Avenue, East Read Street, Gilchrist Avenue, Huntsman Road, Naglee Avenue, Cambrai Avenue and McLean Street in Varina.
• Pedestrian safety and school zone infrastructure: Enhanced crossings and signals are being prioritized for National Pedestrian Safety Month. Specific safety measures near schools include pedestrian hybrid beacons on Three Chopt Road near Douglas S. Freeman High School and Tuckahoe Middle School.
• Bridges and extensions: Bridge projects include the Parham Road Bridge repair, Magellan Parkway Pedestrian Bridge over I-95, and upcoming Lakeside Avenue Bridge replacement. Extensions include Liesfeld Farm Drive, Magellan Parkway and St. Charles Road.
• Water and sewer improvements: Extensive utility upgrades and ARPA-backed projects are connecting homes on private wells or septic systems to county services, notably in Cedar Ridge, Old Washington Highway, Tuckahoe Creek, West Ridge and Westin Estates.
Projects starting soon or out for bid
• Richmond-Henrico Turnpike improvements (Fairfield): Groundbreaking and construction set to begin in late October 2026.
• Ridgefield Parkway sidewalk – Phase 3 (Tuckahoe): Completing sidewalk between Gayton Road and Lauderdale Drive starting this winter.
• Lakeside Avenue bridge replacement (Fairfield) and Virginia Center Commons Ring Road Lighting (Fairfield): Construction starting in fall 2026.
• Cox Road roundabouts (Three Chopt): Roundabouts at Stonemill Road and Swinging Bridge Drive/Grainmill Court starting early 2027.
• Tuckernuck and Mayland drives intersection improvements (Three Chopt): Construction beginning early 2027.
• Fruehauf Road relief sewer and Thalbro Street sidewalk (Brookland): Construction starting early 2027.
• Projects out for bid: Shady Grove and Old Nuckols Road safety and mobility Improvements (Three Chopt) and Williamsburg Road & Chapman Lane Water Line Extensions (Varina).
Public Engagement, Meetings and Community Events
• Oct. 23 (volunteer event): HEART Stream Cleanup from 1 to 4 p.m. at 491 International Center Drive (advance registration required).
• Oct. 23 and Oct. 29 (community events): Trunk or Treat events at Deep Run Park (Oct. 23, 4:30–6 p.m.) and Eastern Henrico Recreation Center (Oct. 29, 6–8 p.m.).
• Oct. 24 (festival): Fifth Annual Plant Native! Festival at Dorey Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring native plant vendors, free tree giveaways (750 trees), workshops and a youth insect costume parade.
•Nov. 18 (public hearing): Nuckols Trail Public Hearing from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Springfield Park Elementary School.
•Nov. 18 (survey/application deadline): Switch Together solar buying program applications due.
Seasonal and VDOT updates
In observance of Energy Awareness Month, Henrico DPW has installed nearly 100 solar streetlights—focused on roundabouts and school crossings—and is encouraging residents to join the Switch Together solar group-purchase program.
Fall leaf collection programs begin Oct. 26 for paid DPW vacuum leaf orders via Really Clean Streets ($50 for first two orders). Free curbside bagged leaf collection through DPU runs from Nov. 9, 2026, through Feb. 7, 2027.
As foliage season peaks around the state, the Virginia Department of Transportation is urging autumn motorists to show caution by slowing down on wet leaves, watching for deer and avoiding stopping on shoulders to take foliage photos.
Residents who want to keep up to date on Henrico County's departments of Public Works and Public Utilities projects can request to receive the Word on the Street monthly email detailing projects in each district.
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.
