Above, June 23, 2001 photo, I was standing on the Genito Road overpass looking north onto VA-288. The crest in the distance is the existing bridge of VA-288 over VA-76 Powhite Parkway, and there are ramps that connect this current northern terminus of VA-288 with VA-76 in Chesterfield County. The project to extend VA-288 northward is under construction, and a new full cloverleaf interchange with northbound and southbound VA-288 collector-distributor roadways is under construction along with three new bridges over VA-76. VA-288 is also being widened with a third lane each way from south of Genito Road to north of VA-76.

Above, looking south, July 8, 2001 photo of beginning of construction of VA-288 James River Bridge, with clearing and grubbing almost completed. The first bridge piers can be seen, and the James River is presently hidden by the trees at the bottom of the hill. The river is about 200 feet wide at this point. I'm standing in Goochland County and on the opposite side of the river is Powhatan County.

Above, looking north, early July 2001, about 1/2 mile north of West Creek Parkway in Goochland County. Construction on the western portion of VA-288 began in 1995 in Goochland County with a 3.9-mile-long project between West Creek Parkway and US-250 Broad Street Road, and the project was completed in 1997 as a 2-lane freeway on a 4-lane right-of-way. The roadway that I am on is the one that was completed in 1997. The project to complete the western portion of VA-288, started in 2001, will build a parallel roadway for northbound traffic, and that roadway can be seen under construction to the right.

Above, looking north, early July 2001, on VA-288 about one mile south of US-250 Broad Street Road in Goochland County. This is also on the section built in 1997 with 2 lanes on a 4-lane right-of-way. Construction barrels have been placed, but ground has not yet been broken for the dualization starting in 2001; so this photo shows the highway as it looked after it was opened in 1997.

Above, looking south, early in August 2001, photo of construction of VA-288 James River Bridge. About 20 bridge columns have been built. The clearing and grubbing on the section in this photo has been completed, and the James River is visible at the bottom of the hill. The river is about 200 feet wide at this point. I'm standing in Goochland County and on the opposite side of the river is Powhatan County.

Lead page for Richmond Beltway (I-295 and VA-288)

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By Scott M. Kozel, Roads to the Future