VDOT update includes Longhill Road shared-used path, Pocahontas Trail widening in James City County
Recent presentation to James City Supervisors also includes road construction updates, maintenance progress and speed studies
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently provided its quarterly update to the James City County Board of Supervisors, outlining projects under design, current construction timelines, paving plans and ongoing traffic studies across the county. In James City County, transportation oversight is handled by VDOT’s Hampton Roads District of the Virginia Department of Transportation. The district maintains state roads within the county, including pothole repairs, mowing, drainage work, guardrail replacement and traffic studies, as well as oversight of major projects like the widening of Interstate 64.
Projects in Design
Based on presentation materials from the meeting, several major transportation projects are currently in the design phase, including:
The Longhill Road Shared Use Path, identified in VDOT documents as #SMART20, is funded through the state’s Smart Scale program and is classified as a capital improvement project. The project calls for construction of a shared use path designed to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists, typically separated from the roadway to enhance safety. The anticipated award date is April 5, 2027.
The Jamestown High School sidewalk and crosswalk improvements project is categorized as a pedestrian safety initiative, with an anticipated award date of Dec. 29, 2027. During Board discussion, Ms. Null acknowledged the project’s late-2027 timeline but noted that more immediate safety steps have already been taken in the area. She thanked county staff and law enforcement for coordinating with a contractor to install pavement markings aimed at reducing illegal turns near the school. The future capital project will formalize those efforts by constructing permanent sidewalks and crosswalk infrastructure to improve long-term pedestrian safety.
The Pocahontas Trail Widening, Phase 1 project is scheduled for an anticipated award date of March 29, 2028. Classified as a roadway widening effort, it is specifically described by VDOT as a “Complete Street” project. Complete Street designs are intended to accommodate all users — including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders — rather than focusing solely on increasing vehicle capacity. As the first phase of a broader initiative, the project represents an early step in reconfiguring the corridor to improve safety, accessibility and multimodal connectivity.
Other projects in the design phase include improvements to Airport Road, Mooretown Road and Richmond Road (July 2030). A right-in/right-out project at Route 5, Centerville Road and Route 30 will be re-advertised after receiving a non-responsive bid. The Pinedale Road cross drain replacement will be completed using an open-cut method under traffic, with completion expected by June 2026.
Projects Under Construction
Croaker Road widening is progressing with grading and drainage work underway; completion is set for November 2027. Construction also continues on the I-64 widening project (GAP C), which will expand the interstate to six lanes, with an estimated completion of April 2027.
The Centerville Road/Jolly Pond Road signal project has been awarded and cleared, with crews awaiting materials. Work on the Jamestown Transfer Bridge hydraulic lift system is complete, and the contractor is demobilizing. Guardrail repairs addressed five out of five reported hits during the quarter.
Traffic Studies and Safety
A speed study on Monticello Avenue recommended retaining the 45 mph limit. On Green Springs Plantation Drive, speed limits will be reduced to 50 and 45 mph based on collected data.
Stop signs were installed at interchanges leading to Adams Road, and yield signs were added at Tyler Road and Stewart Circle. A “No Turn on Red” review at Monticello Avenue and Casey Boulevard resulted in no changes.
VDOT reported that a crosswalk study at Old News Road has been completed, with findings on three evaluated crossings expected within 60 days. Additional studies are underway at Centerville Road/Richmond Road and along Route 199, while the Surry crossing study is expected to conclude in November.
Supervisors also requested “Do Not Block Intersection” markings at Route 60 and Oakland Road; VDOT confirmed the request is in the queue. Board members closed by thanking the agency for improved signage on Lake Powell Road aimed at reducing speeds.
Maintenance and Operations
For the quarter ending Dec. 31, VDOT received 499 maintenance work orders and completed 436, an 87.4% completion rate. Crews addressed pothole patching, debris removal, sign repairs and 114 instances of dead animal removal.
Scheduled maintenance includes primary-route litter pickup, which began Feb. 2. The first primary mowing cycle begins April 2 and will continue monthly through October.
Paving and Infrastructure
Summer paving is planned for the Croaker Road Park & Ride, sections of Route 5 and Route 60 in both directions. A subdivision paving project originally planned for Kings Point has shifted to Powhatan Shores, Springhill and Monticello Woods due to utility conflicts.
On Route 60, VDOT did not receive responsive bids for an unbonded concrete overlay. Instead, the agency will pursue patching repairs at Anderson’s Corner and along the eastbound section this summer, followed by an asphalt overlay.
Board members also raised concerns about deteriorating pavement on Route 199 Westbound near Longhill Road. VDOT said porous pavement installed about a decade ago is delaminating. A temporary patching contract is planned ahead of a larger rehabilitation project scheduled for 2027.
In the Grove community, supervisors asked about road conditions following stormwater improvements. VDOT agreed to re-evaluate pavement conditions and provide a cost estimate for repaving the area.
The writer used AI tools and these sources:
Agenda Packet - James City County Board of Supervisors Business Meeting - January 27, 2026
Video - James City County Board of Supervisors Business Meeting - January 27, 2026
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