New Kent road project among governor’s plan

A New Kent County road improvement project is among 158 projects statewide being recommended today (Jan. 22) by Gov. Bob McDonnell for passage by the General Assembly.

McDonnell is recommending $734,160 be designated for unpaved road improvements in New Kent. The figure is part of an overall $1.28 billion long-term road improvement package, dubbed “Virginia’s Road to Improvement,” that the governor is forwarding to state lawmakers.

There is also $64 million recommended for reconstructive paving on Interstate 64, but it is unclear if the amount pertains to the section of I-64 that traverses New Kent. Another $85 million is targeted for I-64 traffic capacity improvements in the Williamsburg to Newport News area.

In the Richmond area, $64 million is pegged for reconstructive paving on Interstate 295 and 95. There are no road improvement projects in the plan designated for Charles City County.

At the same time, the governor unveiled a $1.07 billion proposal aimed at improving the state’s railroads. Included in the proposal are track improvements to the rail line that runs through New Kent, connecting Richmond and Newport News.