A much-anticipated roadway that was both years in the making and long-awaited, opened to the public Saturday morning. The $48 million North Gayton Road extension, connecting West Broad Street to Pouncey Tract and Shady Grove Roads to the north, provides what residents say was a much-needed second north/south route in the Short Pump area.
County of Henrico planning officials say the project will not only take vehicles off Pouncey Tract Road, but will provide a less congested alternative for those in residential communities such as Wyndham and Twin Hickory to access the West Broad Street corridor and Short Pump Town Center.
Before the roadway opened, Pouncey Tract Road was carrying an estimated 11,000 vehicles per day. North Gayton is expected to carry 9,600 vehicles per day by year’s end, increasing to approximately 18,000 vehicles per day by 2032.
If a future Interstate 64 interchange is added near Dominion Chevrolet, officials say the number could balloon to 64,000 vehicles per day.
The project was delayed significantly by a variety of factors including issues with property acquisition and weather.
The extension was 100% funded by Henrico County through a 2005 Bond Referendum.
