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Public works reports ongoing road maintenance, traffic studies and bridge closure due to privately owned dam
Summary
New Kent County public-works contractor reported mowing cycles, drainage and pothole repairs, and described ongoing traffic studies for Cosby Mill and Oliver Road; a bridge on Hollyfork Road remains closed because the dam that supports its substructure is privately owned and the owner must repair it.
Mark Harlow, ARA with Ashland Residency (the county’s presentations listed him as providing the maintenance report), told the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 14 that crews completed a third cycle of primary mowing and a second cycle of secondary mowing, and that they are continuing drainage work, pipe maintenance and unpaved-road grading.
Harlow reported 122 new work orders and 186 completed work orders during the last month and five emergency after-hours callouts. He said crews have worked on Clark Road in response to the board’s prior requests and noted that sealing on a rural stretch may be postponed until spring because of weather concerns.
Harlow updated the board on an off-ramp extension trimming project on Route 106 to 211 and said the county was informed it could not remove a left-turn at the 249/205 interchange. He also said crews inspected Eastview and Hollyfork where a bridge remains closed: the bridge is closed because it sits atop a privately owned dam; Virginia Department of Transportation handles the top structure but the substructure is the dam, and the owner must make repairs before the bridge can reopen.
Traffic studies: Harlow said two traffic studies are ongoing — a speed study on Cosby Mill Road and a safety study on Oliver Road — and the study on Hollyfork has been completed and identifies potential safety upgrades. Board members asked staff to consider minor signal timing adjustments on Route 106 where the southbound light sometimes fails to clear queued vehicles, and raised complaints about the condition of River Road (Route 608).
Why it matters: The maintenance activity affects road safety, travel reliability and future capital or repair scheduling. The bridge closure is contingent on a private property owner’s repairs, limiting the county’s authority to reopen the crossing.
Board follow-up and next steps: Staff noted the Hollyfork bridge is in the Hampton Roads VDOT district (not Richmond) and will continue coordination; supervisors asked for follow-up on specific ditching plans for James Drive and Chickahominy Shores and for updated timing or schedule information at a future meeting.
