Powhite Parkway Extension Expected to Begin Construction This Winter
Construction on the long-planned Powhite Parkway extension is expected to begin this winter, marking a significant step forward for the estimated $565 million transportation project in Chesterfield County.
The project will extend Powhite Parkway approximately nine miles from its current terminus near Route 288 to Hull Street Road near Grange Hall Elementary School and the Richmond Metro Zoo. The extension will not be tolled and is intended to support continued residential and commercial growth in the Moseley area while addressing the county’s anticipated transportation needs over the next 20 years.
Chesterfield County plans to issue requests for proposals for two sections of the project in the coming weeks. The first will extend the parkway 2.25 miles from its current terminus to Woolridge Road. This four-lane segment is budgeted at $150 million, with construction expected to be completed in 2029.
The southern section, extending between Westerleigh Parkway and Hull Street Road, is also expected to begin construction this winter. The estimated $165 million segment will provide access to the planned Upper Magnolia Green technology park and serve an area where Chesterfield is constructing a new high school and has recently opened elementary and middle schools. Completion is anticipated in 2031.
The remaining portion of the extension will initially feature two travel lanes between Woolridge Road and Hull Street Road. However, the county plans to grade the corridor for the eventual construction of two additional lanes, helping reduce future expansion costs.
When complete, the extension will include access points at Woolridge Road, Genito Road, Duval Road, Magnolia Green Parkway and Hull Street Road. A shared-use path is also planned along the entire corridor, connecting with Horner Park and other destinations along the route.
Funding for the project will come from a combination of local, state and federal sources, including substantial support from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. Chesterfield officials report that approximately $297 million has been secured toward the project’s total cost. The full Powhite Parkway extension is currently expected to be completed in 2034.