Public Hearing Set for New Connector Road Near Manakin Sabot

The Virginia Department of Transportation will host an open-forum design public hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Dover Baptist Church, 635 Manakin Road, Manakin Sabot. The meeting will present a proposed project to build a new two-lane roadway with a left-turn lane at Broad Street, curb and gutter, and sidewalk on one side of the road, linking Hockett Road to Ashland Road at its intersection with Broad Street. A roundabout is proposed north of the intersection of Hockett Road and Holly Lane.

VDOT staff will be available during the open-forum format to discuss proposed roadway design elements directly with attendees. Project information is also available online at the project web page and for in-person review at the VDOT Richmond District Office, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, South Chesterfield, VA 23834-9002. Residents may call 804-524-6000 or 1-800-663-4188, TTY/TTD 711; callers are advised to call ahead to ensure project staff will be available to answer questions.

The project is identified as State Project 0623-037-749, phases P101, R201, C501, with UPC 105733. As the design is finalized, VDOT will determine the location of right-of-way and easements needed for construction and future maintenance. Property owners affected by right-of-way acquisitions will be notified of proposed locations during the acquisition process and prior to construction. Right-of-way acquisition will be carried out in accordance with the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, applicable federal and state laws, and VDOT policies and standards. Information about right-of-way acquisition is available in VDOT’s Right of Way and Utility brochure, "A Guide for Property Owners and Tenants," which is available online.

For residents and business owners near Broad Street, Hockett Road, Ashland Road, Holly Lane, and surrounding neighborhoods, the project could alter traffic flow and access patterns during and after construction. The inclusion of a left-turn lane and a roundabout aims to improve traffic operations and safety at key intersections, while curb, gutter, and a sidewalk on one side of the new roadway would provide a pedestrian link that does not currently exist in many stretches of rural or semi-rural Goochland County roads.

In the event of inclement weather, the hearing will be postponed to Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the same time and location. Full event notice and project contact information are available on the county newsflash page for residents seeking further details.