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City updates multi-year transportation projects including Bedford Avenue, John Lynch Bridge and Breezewood Drive
Summary
Staff outlined timelines, budgets and design status for major transportation projects: Bedford Avenue ($24M; SmartScale request $8.8M), Breezewood Drive ($10.3M; 60% design), 5th Street ($7.3M; construction), John Lynch Bridge ($7.2M; delayed), and a fully-funded intersection project that recently secured a ~$24.9M grant portion.
City staff presented a comprehensive update on multi-year transportation work at the July 14 work session, covering project status, funding needs and expected schedules.
The Bedford Avenue project carries a $24 million price tag; staff reported they are seeking $8.8 million in VDOT SmartScale funding and hope to begin construction in spring 2027 with completion targeted for winter 2029–30. The Bedford work includes bridge replacement (rated poor) and a new sidewalk in that corridor.
Breezewood Drive improvements total roughly $10.3 million; the project received $486,000 through revenue sharing, is about 60% through design and staff said it remains on schedule with construction anticipated to start in summer 2027. Public engagement for Breezewood included a June 25 public hearing at Heritage Baptist Church that staff described as well-attended.
The 5th Street corridor project, approximately $7.3 million, is fully funded and in active construction with underground utilities and streetscape improvements underway; city staff said they are providing construction administration and funding portions of the streetscape improvements (about $6.1 million on the public works side).
The John Lynch Bridge ($7.2 million) is under construction but running behind schedule due to on-site fabrication and backordered ADA-compliant joint plates and inlet covers; staff now anticipate completion in late August or early September 2026.
Staff also noted a large intersection project (listed in materials as 221501221) that received a substantial grant (staff cited $24.9 million as recent grant assistance) and appears to be fully funded; a public hearing is scheduled for August 20 at Heritage Baptist Church to advance that project.
Council members asked about sidewalk prioritization and lighting near Hollins Mill Bridge; staff said preliminary design remains the time to add multimodal features such as lighting and pedestrian improvements and that they would pass suggested enhancements to the design team.
Staff asked the council to continue coordinating on scheduling and to raise design suggestions during the preliminary phases so community requests can be considered.
