New Bridges to Connect Powhite Parkway Segments Over Tomahawk Creek
TL;DR: Chesterfield will construct bridges over Tomahawk Creek in 2027-2029 to connect Powhite Parkway segments between Woolridge Road and Watermill Parkway.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Department of Transportation
- What: Bridge construction over Tomahawk Creek linking Powhite Parkway segments
- When: Construction advertised October 2026; work begins early 2027, extends to 2029
- Where: Tomahawk Creek between Woolridge Road and Watermill Parkway, western Chesterfield County
The story
Chesterfield County is preparing to construct bridges spanning Tomahawk Creek as part of the broader Phase 1 improvements to the Powhite Parkway Extension. The bridges will connect the parkway between its terminus at Woolridge Road and the existing Watermill Parkway intersection, filling a critical gap in the county's western transportation network.
The bridge project was advertised for construction in October 2026, with physical work anticipated to begin in early 2027 and extend through 2029. The work is part of Phase 1's five-segment approach, which includes widening Woolridge Road from two to four lanes, constructing a bridge at Watermill Parkway, and improving Old Hundred Road between Watermill Parkway and Charter Colony Parkway.
Phase 1 comes as the western Chesterfield area faces mounting congestion. Transportation Director Chessa Walker has explained that the area west of Otterdale Road is zoned for thousands of additional homes, and established neighborhoods already experience traffic pressure. The phase one improvements, budgeted at $245 million and fully funded, are designed to help the county "handle existing volume plus the projected volume."
Upon completion of the Tomahawk Creek bridges and related work, a temporary intersection will be established at Old Hundred Road and Watermill Parkway. That temporary connection is scheduled to be eliminated once the Center Pointe Parkway and Watermill Overpass projects finish, integrating the segments into a unified corridor.
The full Powhite Parkway Extension will eventually extend 9.2 miles and require $565 million; the county has secured more than half of that funding. All Phase 1 work is expected to complete by 2029.
Key players
- Chessa Walker: Transportation Director, Chesterfield County
- Bill Arel: Project Contact, Chesterfield County Department of Transportation
Key dates
- 2026-10: Project advertised for construction
- 2027-01: Physical work anticipated to begin
- 2029-12: Phase 1 completion targeted
Why it matters: The bridges will eliminate a major bottleneck in western Chesterfield's transportation network, easing congestion in an area projected to absorb thousands of new homes and improve connectivity across the corridor during the county's anticipated growth.
Places
- Powhite Parkway
- Tomahawk Creek
- Woolridge Road
- Watermill Parkway
- Old Hundred Road
- Charter Colony Parkway
- Otterdale Road
Development timeline
- 2026-09Phase 1 construction begins near Woolridge and Old Hundred: First segment of Phase 1 work commenced at the intersection of Woolridge and Old Hundred roads in western Chesterfield County. [source]
- 2026-10Tomahawk Creek bridge project advertised: County advertised the Tomahawk Creek bridge segment for construction, with physical work expected to begin in early 2027. [source]
- 2027-01Tomahawk Creek bridge construction anticipated to begin: Physical work on bridges spanning Tomahawk Creek scheduled to begin, extending through 2029. [source]
- 2029-12Phase 1 completion targeted: All Phase 1 work, including bridge construction and related improvements, expected to be complete. [source]
Related links
- Powhite Parkway Extension (Official Project Page)
- Project Alert: Powhite over Tomahawk Creek
- Chesterfield County Transportation Projects
Read the original at Transportation Projects →
Sources
- Powhite over Tomahawk Creek Project Alert
- Powhite Parkway Extension (Official Project Page)
- Powhite Parkway Extension's first phase underway in western Chesterfield
- Chesterfield leaders give update on Powhite Parkway extension project