Pocahontas 895 breaks ground for Airport Connector
New 1.6-mile road to be complete in early 2011,
will provide quick, direct link to Richmond International Airport
See photos from the Indian blessing and ceremonial dance
Watch the dirt fly at our groundbreaking!
RICHMOND (Dec. 2, 2008) – A groundbreaking ceremony 
today marked the official start of construction for a $49.75 million Airport Connector road, bringing a direct link between Pocahontas 895 and Richmond International Airport a step closer.
The 1.6-mile road will link Pocahontas 895 to Charles City Road and Airport Drive to lead directly into the heart of the airport. The new road will allow future airport travelers to bypass four sets of traffic lights and a rail crossing and is expected to save up to 10 minutes on their trip.
Transurban – the company that operates and maintains Pocahontas 895 – will work with local construction contractors to build the Airport Connector as part of an agreement made with the Virginia Department of Transportation when it took over management of the Parkway in June 2006.
The total project cost includes acquisition of rights of way and related costs.
“This project demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together,” said Secretary of Transportation Pierce R. Homer. “This direct connection to Richmond International Airport will help improve the region’s economy and its transportation network.”
The Airport Connector is expected to take just over two years to build. Pre-construction activities have already begun, and construction work is expected to be under way in earnest in January 2009. The road is expected to open in early 2011.
This project will benefit Pocahontas 895 customers and the rest of the community. During construction the local economy will benefit from the creation of subcontracting jobs. Once the road is open, travelers will enjoy quicker commuting times, and businesses will gain increased productivity through more efficient freight shipments to and from the airport.
The Airport Connector is part of a package of projects designed to improve access to Richmond International Airport. These projects include improvements to Airport Drive, being undertaken by the Capital Region Airport Commission, and improvements to Charles City Road, to be undertaken by Henrico County.
Together, these projects will offer significant access improvements to the airport, which has been one of the fastest growing airports in the nation, experiencing passenger growth from less than 2.5 million passengers in 2004 to more than 3.6 million passengers in 2008.
"It's wonderful to see a plan of this importance come together," said Capital Region Airport Commission member James B. Donati, Jr. "The construction of the Airport Connector from Pocahontas 895 to Richmond International Airport will benefit travelers, cargo operators, local businesses, and residents driving between the airport and the southern portion of its service area by providing unprecedented time savings and convenience. The Airport Connector is a key element supporting RIC's intent to be one of America's most convenient airports, from the highway to the jetway."
The groundbreaking ceremony, with a theme of “Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future,” included a “Blessing of the Ground” by chiefs of the Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy and Upper Mattaponi Indian tribes to acknowledge the historical importance of the region.
The project will include the placement of historical markers and an accompanying interpretive program to recognize and provide public access to information about the significance of the region in Civil War history.
Updates on construction activity will be available throughout the construction period by checking this Web site or by calling (804) 822-3443. Further information on Transurban is available at www.transurban.com.