Transportation Information

Everyone living and working in Powhatan County uses the local transportation network to reach their destinations. Roadways in Powhatan County are either:

  • Public roads maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT); or
  • Private roads maintained by adjacent landowners.

Powhatan County does not maintain any roadways, but partners with VDOT to help ensure that the local transportation network is safe and remains in a state of good repair.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)

VDOT maintains public roads and monitors activities that occur within the public right-of-way (which is land under and adjacent to the road that is owned by VDOT). For example, VDOT:

  • Repaves and repairs existing state-maintained roadways;
  • Picks up litter along major state-maintained roadways;
  • Installs traffic-related signage along state-maintained roadways (except for street name signs); and
  • Approves driveways and other entrances that provide access to properties along state-maintained roadways.

Statewide, VDOT is divided into different districts and residencies, which provide services to a specific area. Powhatan County is within the Richmond District and is served by the Chesterfield Residency. To contact VDOT’s Chesterfield Residency, call (804) 674-2800.

Powhatan County

Powhatan County does not maintain any roadways, but will replace missing street name signs along state-maintained roads. If a street name sign is missing and/or needs to be replaced, contact the Department of Community Development at (804) 598-5621 and provide the location of the missing sign.

With support from VDOT, Powhatan County also reviews plans for new roadways constructed as part of new residential, commercial, and industrial developments. This review helps ensure that new roadways meet standards set forth in the County Code (Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance).

Private Roads

Some properties in Powhatan County are accessed by private roads. Private roads are not maintained by VDOT or Powhatan County, but solely by the adjoining property owners. In many instances, a road maintenance agreement identifies which property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing the roadway. These agreements are recorded at the Clerk of the Court and are privately enforced by the associated property owners (not by VDOT or Powhatan County).

Upcoming Road Projects

Click this link to view a list of VDOT projects planned or under construction in Powhatan County and the entire Richmond region.

Sometimes, VDOT and the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RRTPO) have funding available for local governments interested in improving their transportation infrastructure. These competitive funding opportunities allow Powhatan County and other local governments to submit applications requesting money to build new roads, sidewalks, trails, and other transportation infrastructure, or to improve existing roadways.