Philip Frazier, a VDOT representative, gave the Goochland County Board of Supervisors a line‑by‑line update on roughly 10 county projects and the work VDOT expects over the next several years.

Frazier said primary mowing is complete and a contractor will start secondary mowing the week of Sept. 8. He outlined project milestones, including right‑of‑way authorization for the Fairground Road extension expected in September and a February 2027 advertisement for final design. He said the Hickory Park & Ride relocation is combined with the I‑64 diverging diamond project and that the design‑build RFP will go out in December with an anticipated award in 2026 and completion in 2029. “That 1 has an advertisement this month,” he said of the Route 288 northbound hard shoulder running lane, which VDOT plans to open only during peak hours and operate through a smart, connected system.

Why it matters: the county has a pipeline of work funded through programs such as SmartScale and VDOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, with cumulative project estimates described by board members as “a little bit over $200,000,000.” Several projects will alter traffic patterns, require right‑of‑way acquisition and entail construction seasons that typically run from March through November.

Key project details and timing provided by Frazier included:
- Fairground Road extension: right‑of‑way authorization expected September; design and advertisement targeted for February 2027. Right‑of‑way work anticipated to take about six months.
- Hickory Park & Ride / I‑64 diverging diamond: combined as a design‑build project; RFP expected in December, award in 2026, completion around 2029; cost estimate approximately $90 million and includes the park‑and‑ride relocation.
- Oilville Road/I‑64 roundabout: no right‑of‑way impacts; advertisement planned in 2025 and likely a one‑season construction project.
- Courthouse Village sidewalk: expected to be administered by the county following a recent kickoff meeting.
- Hockett Road extension and roundabout: previously had two location public hearings; advertisement currently scheduled for September 2028 with construction likely starting in 2029 and possibly finishing in 2030; VDOT emphasized the need to study alignments for property and wetland impacts.
- Fairground Road shoulder widening and rumble strip project: funded from a safety study and the Highway Safety Improvement Program but still awaiting preliminary engineering authorization.
- Route 288 northbound hard shoulder running lane: advertisement this month; the lane will open during peak hours and close in inclement weather. Frazier described a dynamic, connected system using overhead gantries and traffic operations center controls so the lane can be closed if there is an incident; he said the project cannot feasibly widen the bridge and will use the existing shoulder, meaning a smaller shoulder on the bridge.
- Additional Route 288 projects (southbound auxiliary lanes and interchange improvements) and a roundabout at Routes 632/634: in preliminary phases with PE (preliminary engineering) authorization expected in coming months.

Board members asked about maintenance cycles, surface treatments, and the visible patching people see after winter seasons. Frazier explained VDOT’s mowing cycles, the effect of wet Julys on grass growth, and how winter brine and plowing can accelerate potholes and surface wear on lower‑traffic, surface‑treatment roads. He said crews perform patching followed later by surface treatments to improve uniformity. He also said VDOT will follow up on localized maintenance requests in the western part of the county and has been coordinating with crews on culvert work and spot patching.

Concerns and emergency access: Supervisors and a county fire official asked how changes such as the Route 288 dynamic lane would affect emergency response. Frazier said the system is designed to be shut down remotely and that the traffic operation center can close the lane if an incident occurs; he acknowledged the bridge section will have a reduced shoulder but said the overhead signage and control can allow emergency vehicles to use the lane when it is opened and that he would verify whether physical cross arms would be included to block access when the lane is closed.

Next steps and oversight: Frazier invited supervisors to request future updates and said he expected to return about every six months. Supervisors thanked staff for advancing projects and asked VDOT to follow up on outstanding maintenance and prairie/wildflower spraying schedules.

Ending: VDOT will proceed with advertised milestones, begin secondary mowing in mid‑September, and continue design and right‑of‑way work on the listed projects; supervisors asked staff to maintain communication with constituents about timelines and expected construction impacts.