Henrico breaks ground on Richmond-Henrico Turnpike widening and water line projects

Henrico County officials began groundbreaking on two major infrastructure projects Wednesday morning, according to NBC12. The projects include widening Richmond-Henrico Turnpike from two lanes to four lanes between East Laburnum Avenue and Hummingbird Road, and constructing the Eastern Henrico Transmission Line, a new water main.

The transmission line will feature about 13 miles of new, 42-inch water main to help the county's Water Treatment Facility serve central and eastern Henrico, areas that currently depend mainly on Richmond's Water Treatment Plant. This project was expedited following a January 2025 shutdown of Richmond's plant that left thousands of Henrico customers without water for several days.

Henrico's Public Works and Public Utilities departments coordinated the projects so the first section of the transmission line will be built alongside the turnpike widening. Together, the projects are estimated to cost around $30 million and are expected to be completed within about two years.

County officials, including the Board of Supervisors Chair and district supervisors, participated in the groundbreaking event held at 810 E. Laburnum Ave.

These projects aim to improve transportation and water infrastructure in Henrico, enhancing service reliability and capacity for residents in the Richmond metropolitan area.