Scott Smisek, VDOT environmental staff, previewed an environmental impact statement (EIS) for Phase 2 of the Powhatan Parkway extension and described the agency’s public‑involvement and agency‑coordination process. He said Federal Highway issued a notice of intent this summer to initiate the EIS and that VDOT held a virtual study introduction and an October 2024 in‑person meeting with a 30‑day comment period to shape the range of alternatives.

Scott told the board the EIS study area considers existing and planned projects (including Phase 1 work and nearby economic‑development sites) and that the study’s "purpose and need" drives alternative screening. Four alternatives are under consideration: the required no‑build; Alternative 1A (a new four‑lane roadway from Hull Street Road to Woolridge Road with reconstruction of a planned two‑lane access road); Alternative 1B (a northern variation of 1A); and Alternative 4 (adding a lane in each direction along Hull Street Road to improve existing facilities). Scott said VDOT intends to recommend Alternative 1A as the preferred alternative to the Commonwealth Transportation Board because it has the smallest footprint and balances impacts and cost.

He said a location public hearing is set for December 9 at VDOT’s central office, the CTB will be asked to act in January, the draft EIS is expected to be released for public availability in late 2026, and a Federal Highway NEPA decision is anticipated by mid‑2027.

Scott also described ongoing coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies — including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality — and said agency input has shaped the EIS scope and alternatives considered.

County staff disclosed that a county consent agenda item includes a resolution in support of Alternative 1A; the transcript shows the disclosure but no formal CTB action was recorded at this meeting. VDOT said the December hearing and the January CTB meeting are the next near‑term steps in selecting a preferred alternative.

The county and VDOT staff said they will continue public outreach while the EIS work proceeds toward later permitting and design stages.