Board hears timeline and funding status for Ashland DDI, roundabouts and sidewalk work
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Summary
Transportation staff reviewed major corridor projects including the Ashland Road I‑64 divergent‑diamond interchange (design‑build procurement, CTB award expected Sept. 2026, completion target 2029), Fairground Extension right‑of‑way and bids timeline, Hockett Road roundabout alignment and public hearing (01/13/2026), and SmartScale/CTB funding successes that leveraged substantial state and regional dollars.
Austin, the county’s transportation director, updated the Board on current and near‑term projects and application plans. He announced a simplified roads web address (goochlandva.us/roads) for public information and then reviewed major capital work:
Ashland Road I‑64 DDI: the project has been released for a design‑build procurement that allows the designer and contractor to propose compressed schedules. The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is expected to award the design‑build contract in September 2026, and staff currently targets project completion in late summer or early fall 2029.
Fairground Extension: right‑of‑way acquisition is active (county owned); VDOT is preparing plats and the project team plans to solicit construction bids in early 2027 with anticipated completion about two years later (January 2029).
Hockett Road (Hockett Rotary) alignment: alignment changes were described to reduce floodplain and neighborhood impacts, which raised project costs. A design public hearing is scheduled for 01/13/2026 at Dover Baptist Church. VDOT has indicated potential willingness to cover a funding gap of roughly $1.8 million but staff have identified local funds as a contingency.
Sidewalks and courthouse connectivity: staff reviewed a multi‑phase courthouse connectivity sidewalk plan; Phase 1 construction plans remain on track for submission in February 2026 and staff will continue coordination with VDOT to accelerate timelines where possible.
SmartScale and CTB outcomes: Austin highlighted SmartScale Round 6 and CTB awards that together provided roughly $260 million in transportation funding that benefits the county; staff proposed a FY27 operational allocation ($250,000) to fund consultant assistance and application preparation for future SmartScale/CBTA rounds to maintain competitiveness.
Why it matters: the projects aim to improve safety, congestion and multimodal connectivity as development and demand grow in the eastern county. Board members discussed coordination with economic development and public engagement needs for right‑of‑way changes and temporary traffic impacts.
What’s next: staff will return with project‑specific public‑engagement plans, proposed consultant contracts for SmartScale Round 7 assistance, and updated cost/schedule details for Board decisions.