Board Approves $44.3M Dutch Gap Parkway Bridge Project
TL;DR: Chesterfield's Board of Supervisors approved a $44.3 million contract to build a bridge and roadway across the James River to maintain public access to Henricus Historical Park during Dominion Energy's coal ash removal project.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield Board of Supervisors, Kokosing Construction Company, Dominion Energy
- What: Approved $44.3 million contract for construction of Dutch Gap Parkway, a 1-mile roadway and 1,228-foot bridge across the James River
- When: July 22, 2026 (Board approval); construction to begin fall 2026
- Where: Connecting Corporate Village Parkway to Henricus Historical Park, Dutch Gap area, Chesterfield County
The story
On July 22, 2026, the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors approved a $44.3 million construction contract with Kokosing Construction Company for the Dutch Gap Parkway Project. The project will build a new 1-mile roadway and a 1,228-foot bridge across the James River, creating a new transportation link between Corporate Village Parkway and Henricus Historical Park.
The new route is being built to address an access problem created by Dominion Energy's coal ash removal operations at the nearby Chesterfield Power Station. In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring Dominion to excavate coal ash from storage ponds at the power station and transfer it to a lined landfill on the property, with a 15-year deadline for completion. As a consequence of this work, the county will need to close Coxendale Road, which currently provides the only public access to Henricus Historical Park and the adjacent Dutch Gap Conservation Area.
To maintain public access to these facilities during the coal ash removal, the county and Dominion developed a Transportation Plan in accordance with the General Assembly mandate. The new Dutch Gap Parkway, running west under Interstate 295 and crossing the James River, is the centerpiece of that plan. Dominion Energy is providing the primary funding for the project.
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2026 and is expected to take approximately three years. Upon completion and acceptance, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will assume maintenance responsibilities for the roadway and bridge.
Key players
- Chesterfield Board of Supervisors: Approved the construction contract
- Kokosing Construction Company: General contractor for the project
- Dominion Energy: Primary funder of the project as part of coal ash mitigation at Chesterfield Power Station
- Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT): Will assume maintenance of the roadway and bridge upon project completion
Key dates
- 2026-07-22: Board of Supervisors approved $44.3 million construction contract with Kokosing Construction Company
- 2026-09: Construction expected to begin (fall 2026)
- 2029-09: Project estimated completion (approximately three years from start)
The case for
The new parkway and bridge will provide reliable public access to Henricus Historical Park and Dutch Gap Conservation Area during and after Dominion's mandatory coal ash removal project, ensuring these county-owned recreational and educational facilities remain accessible to residents and visitors.
The case against
The project represents a substantial public infrastructure investment (with Dominion bearing the cost) to replace a transportation connection that was functional before the coal ash removal mandate; questions may arise about whether the expense is proportional to the temporary nature of the access problem, though the bridge will remain once coal ash operations conclude.
Why it matters: The Dutch Gap Parkway will ensure that residents and visitors retain access to two important county facilities (Henricus Historical Park and Dutch Gap Conservation Area) during multi-year coal ash cleanup work that would otherwise cut them off. Once complete, the new route will provide a permanent, direct connection between the Corporate Village area and these public spaces.
Places
- Henricus Historical Park
- Dutch Gap Conservation Area
- Chesterfield Power Station
- Corporate Village Parkway
- James River
Development timeline
- 2019Virginia General Assembly mandates coal ash removal at Chesterfield Power Station: Legislation passed requiring Dominion Energy to excavate all coal ash from storage ponds and transfer to lined landfill, with 15-year deadline [source]
- 2019County and Dominion enter Memorandum of Understanding for Transportation Plan: Chesterfield County and Dominion Energy agree to develop plan to maintain access to Henricus and Dutch Gap facilities during coal ash operations [source]
- 2026-07-22Board of Supervisors approves Dutch Gap Parkway construction contract: Board authorized $44.3 million contract with Kokosing Construction Company for 1-mile roadway and 1,228-foot James River bridge [source]
- 2026-09Dutch Gap Parkway construction to commence: Construction expected to begin in fall 2026, with approximately three-year timeline for completion [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Roundup
- Chesterfield Power Station Coal Ash Project (Dominion Energy)
- Transportation Projects (Chesterfield County)
- Dutch Gap Conservation Area (Chesterfield County)
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- Board of Supervisors Roundup (July 22, 2026)
- Board of Supervisors Roundup (Dutch Gap Transportation Plan)
- Chesterfield Power Station Coal Ash Project
- Dutch Gap Conservation Area