Henrico supervisors approve measures for Sadler Road improvements, Cobbs Creek reservoir, stormwater assistance fund

Henrico supervisors July 27 passed resolutions that will allow the Sadler Road improvements project occurring in the Three Chopt District to proceed. Supervisors approved more than $260,000 to fund the acquisition of easements in the 4500 block of Hargrave Court, the 1100 block of West Broad Street and the 11400 block of Dublin Road. The resolutions will allow for the acquisition of various easements for joint use, utility, drainage and temporary construction

Supervisors also passed a resolution to allow the Department of Public Utilities to seek authority for Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas to execute change orders of up to 15% of the original contract amount with MEB Haymes Joint Venture LLC for the Cobbs Creek reservoir and dam facilities. The board paper approving the contract originally authorized Vithoulkas to execute change orders not exceeding 5%, but additional work had been identified that exceeded the original amount.

Henrico is building a $280-million, 1,000-acre reservoir at Cobbs Creek in Cumberland County, west of metro Richmond, to help sustain the county’s drinking water needs for five decades. The reservoir will hold 14.8 billion gallons of water that will augment the flow of the James River as needed in dry months and pull from the river in wetter months.

And, the board approved a resolution authorizing Director of Public Works Bentley Chan to apply for grants from the Virginia Stormwater Local Assistance Fund for stormwater and water quality projects, including stream restorations, outfall restorations, dam safety improvements and lake retrofits. Henrico County has identified five projects that are eligible for fund grants:
• Adams Elementary School Stream Restoration;
• Deitrick Road Outfall Restoration;
• Hidden Creek Park Stream Restoration;
• Lake Overton Wet Pond Retrofit and Dam Safety Improvements;
• Wilder Middle School Stream Restoration.