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Council hears Ward Boulevard repair timeline as VDOT-funded projects advance
Summary
Engineering staff told council the contractor will restart Ward Boulevard work Nov. 7 and the city is considering a temporary "scratch" mill-and-overlay paid from city funds while longer repairs continue; the council also approved several VDOT and CMAQ agreements and appropriations to fund wider paving and congestion projects.
Councilman Coleman raised concerns about rough pavement on Ward Boulevard between Hopkins Avenue and Center Avenue. Craig Gallant, director of engineering, said the contractor for the larger project is scheduled to return Nov. 7. Because the overall contractor schedule extends roughly nine months, Gallant said staff is evaluating a temporary, limited-depth mill-and-overlay on some lanes (a "scratching level") to smooth riding surfaces in the short term. He noted the city would use local funds for the temporary work and would not be reimbursed by VDOT for that interim repair.
"We got the contractor actually coming in, starting back up in November on November 7," Gallant said, and explained that the temporary work would be limited to lanes not affected by ongoing construction activity.
The council earlier approved VDOT-related items that will fund state-of-good-repair and congestion projects: authorization for State of Good Repair project agreements and a $3.5 million appropriation, and authorization and appropriation of $2.625 million in FY2026 CMAQ funds for three congestion mitigation and air-quality projects. Those votes were unanimous.
Gallant said staff will return with contractor pricing to determine whether the city will proceed with the temporary lane repairs; he emphasized that the temporary repairs would be city-funded and not eligible for VDOT reimbursement. No timeline for completion of the permanent repairs was provided beyond the contractor's overall schedule.
Ending: Councilmembers thanked staff for the update and asked that the pricing be returned so that the city can evaluate using city funds for short-term smoothing work prior to permanent resurfacing.
