Final Segment of Route 288 to Open Nov. 19

Four decades of transportation planning and construction will come to fruition Nov. 19 as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) opens the final segment of Route 288 to traffic. The final link between Lucks Lane and Route 60 (Midlothian Turnpike) in Chesterfield County will allow motorists to make a continuous 32-mile trip from Interstate 64 in Goochland County to Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County for the first time.

VDOT and Vecillio and Grogan, the contractor building the final portion of Route 288, have concentrated efforts to allow traffic to use this segment before the onset of the holiday season and winter weather. However, construction activities in this area of Route 288 may continue until mid 2005 as crews complete the finishing touches. Drivers can expect continued lane restrictions and reduced speed limits for the next several months and are urged to use caution when traveling through this area.

An opening ceremony is scheduled near the new Route 288/Woolridge Road interchange at 10 a.m. Nov. 19. The road will open for traffic later that afternoon.

The completed roadway also aids in bolstering the economy of Chesterfield, Powhatan, Goochland, Henrico and Hanover counties. With the completion of Route 288, these localities will be tied together with a direct interstate-style link. This will cut 35- to 45-minute commutes from Hull Street to Short Pump using the Huguenot and Willey bridges down to less than 20 minutes.

Route 288 was dedicated as the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway in August. For more information about the project, visit www.VirginiaDOT.org or www.Route288.com.