Botetourt County project manager: winter, rock removal have slowed Fincastle courthouse; completion aimed for Sept. 2027

The capital projects manager for Botetourt County (identified in the transcript as “S1”) told a public update in Fincastle that winter weather and an unexpectedly large amount of rock under existing buildings have slowed construction of the new county courthouse and that the project’s substantial completion is projected for September 2027.

Why it matters: The courthouse sits adjacent to Route 220 and the work affects local traffic, parking, and several historical monuments. Delays influence when permanent services are available to the public and when events such as a topping-out ceremony and reinstallation of the courthouse cupola will occur.

S1 said cold temperatures have constrained masonry and concrete work, noting that "if it's below 25 degrees, it's almost impossible" to set concrete and that some masonry work requires ambient temperatures near 40°F. Steel erection began in mid-January; S1 said the first of four erection sequences is about 80% complete for the first phase and that under ideal conditions the steel program would take roughly eight weeks. The project team expects a topping-out ceremony in March–early April.

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