Above, looking south, photo of construction of the 3,642-foot-long VA-288 James River Bridge, and beginnings of major cut on the north side of the river. Beams and deck construction is underway on both bridges. Pier construction in the river has begun. The bridge will be of a concrete girder design, with two spans each with two lanes and full right shoulders. Construction is moving rapidly. North of the river is Goochland County, and south of the river is Powhatan County. The James River is about 200 feet wide at this point. If you look carefully at the near edge of the river, you can see the CSXT Railroad mainline.

Above, photo taken near the centerline of the southbound VA-288 roadway, from the same station as the topmost photo, about 10 minutes later.

Above, looking north, heavy excavation for the construction of the VA-288 roadways. Large backhoes and large dump trucks are being used to excavate this cut. The vantage point for this photo, is standing in about the same place as with the two previous photos, but I turned completely around to face in the opposite direction (taken on a different day, though). There will be a major earthwork cut in this area, for the highway mainline roadways that descend downgrade to the James River Bridge. VA-650 River Road will cross VA-288 on a bridge, and the bridge is being built where the crane in the distance can be seen; and River Road is temporarily closed at that point so that the overpass bridge can be constructed in the same location as the existing road. This is in Goochland County.

Above, looking north, construction of VA-288 James River Bridge in the distance, and construction of highway mainline. A deep cut is being excavated in the hill in the distance. A stormwater management basin is under construction to the left. North of the river is Goochland County, and south of the river is Powhatan County.

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

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By Scott M. Kozel, Roads to the Future