County to Fund Drainage Work at Otterdale Road Crossings
TL;DR: Chesterfield County will fund a $47 million drainage and bridge project at two Swift Creek crossings on Otterdale Road to eliminate chronic flooding, with construction expected to start fall 2026.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- What: Constructing a new bridge across Swift Creek and raising Otterdale Road 10-15 feet to prevent flooding
- When: Construction to begin fall 2026; full road closure June 1 to August 4, 2028
- Where: Otterdale Road between Genito Road and Cedarvill Drive (two Swift Creek crossings)
The story
Chesterfield County is funding a $47 million infrastructure project to eliminate persistent flooding at two Swift Creek crossings on Otterdale Road, north of Genito Road. The project will replace the existing crossings with a new multispan bridge and raise approximately three-quarters of a mile of roadway by 10 to 15 feet. The new bridge is designed to allow a 100-year storm event to pass through without overtopping the road.
The project is being financed through the county's $300 million transportation bond, approved by voters in June 2024. Right-of-way acquisition is currently underway. If approved, construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026, with a full road closure of Otterdale Road north of Genito Road scheduled from June 1, 2028, through August 4, 2028. The county expects the roadway to reopen before school starts that August.
The two Swift Creek crossings have been a persistent problem for residents and traffic. This project addresses one of multiple problematic drainage areas along Otterdale Road; three other crossings at Horsepen Creek, Blackman Creek, and Otterdale Branch were upgraded in a previous $26.2 million project that finished ahead of schedule in December 2023.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Project funder and approver
- Chesterfield County Department of Transportation: Project manager and implementer
Key dates
- 2026-09-01: Construction expected to begin (fall 2026)
- 2028-06-01: Full road closure begins on Otterdale Road north of Genito Road
- 2028-08-04: Road closure ends; roadway expected to reopen
Why it matters: Residents and commuters on Otterdale Road have experienced repeated closures during heavy rain events; the project will provide permanent relief from flooding that has affected access and safety at this critical county road corridor.
Places
Development timeline
- 2024-06-01County voters approve $300 million transportation bond: Bond package includes funding for Otterdale Road Swift Creek project [source]
- 2026-09-01Construction begins on Swift Creek bridge and road realignment: Multi-year project to construct new bridge and raise roadway 10-15 feet [source]
- 2028-06-01Full road closure begins: Otterdale Road north of Genito Road to close for bridge construction [source]
- 2028-08-04Roadway scheduled to reopen: Project completion with road reopening before school year begins [source]
Related links
- Otterdale Road at Swift Creek Drainage Project - Chesterfield County
- Chesterfield County 2024 Transportation Bond
- Project Contact: Nate Mathis, Department of Transportation
Read the original at Transportation Projects →
Sources
- Otterdale Road at Swift Creek Drainage Project - Chesterfield County
- Chesterfield eyes $47M fix for flood-prone Otterdale Road crossing
- Chesterfield County plans $47M Otterdale Road bridge upgrade