Additionally, invites City Council and Henrico's Board of Supervisors to a joint public meeting

Richmond, VA - Mayor Danny Avula today announced invitations to regional partners to join together in conversations and planning about the future of the region's drinking water system. The goal is to form a regional advisory group and explore a path forward to ensure a strong and sustainable water infrastructure for all. The Mayor has invited neighboring localities Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico to join the City in this effort.

The advisory group would build on earlier conversations between City leadership and neighboring localities and recognizes that the future of drinking water in the region is a both an urgent challenge and regional opportunity.

The advisory group will work together to identify regional challenges, align priorities, and build consensus around strategies for drinking water system resilience. "With the launch of this new water advisory group, we are coming together for honest dialogue, shared problem-solving, and meaningful action," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I was elected to fix deeply entrenched problems, and that means working across jurisdictional lines with our neighbors, just like I've done in previous roles. We are closely connected with our regional partners, and it is vitally important that we intentionally plan for a resilient, thriving regional water system. I'm confident that by putting the greater Richmond region at the center of our solution, we can move forward with a shared approach that meets the needs of Richmonders and neighboring localities."

The water advisory group will hold a kickoff meeting in July. Work groups with subject matter experts will convene over the summer and fall to develop initial recommendations. A final consensus report outlining key recommendations is expected in spring 2026.

While the advisory group will include both elected officials and locality administrators, Mayor Avula has additionally invited all members of Richmond's City Council and Henrico's Board of Supervisors to convene a joint public meeting. This dedicated meeting of elected leaders will allow for open dialogue around the distinct needs and priorities of each locality. "The creative ideas, deep experience, and collaborative spirit Council brings to the table will be critical in shaping thoughtful solutions for the region," Mayor Danny Avula said. A public notice of this meeting will be issued in the coming weeks.

Posted June 17, 2025

~ Project dates: July 2025 – Summer 2026, weather permitting; Motorists should stay alert in the work zone ~

RICHMOND, VA – Starting in early July, the City of Richmond Department of Public Works will begin a roadway improvement project in the city’s east end to enhance safety and improve traffic flow. The project will modify and reconstruct the intersection at East Main Street and Williamsburg Avenue between South 31st Street, East Main and Pear Street.

Starting, June 20, the construction team will begin placing notification signage along the corridors to alert residents and drivers about the upcoming project and closure notifications.

All westbound lanes of Williamsburg Avenue will be closed between South 31st Street and the intersection of East Main Street. Additionally, there will be temporary closures at the intersection of South 31st Street and Williamsburg Road, these closures are expected for five months. The East Main/Williamsburg Avenue intersection will remain open to traffic.

Improvements on East Main at Williamsburg Avenue include:

• Realignment of the intersection by revising the dominate traffic flow movement from East Main Street (Route 5) to Williamsburg Road
• Installing new traffic signal with pedestrian crossing buttons
• Installing and reconstruct sidewalks and install ADA accessibility
• Installing new street lighting
• Installing new pavement, signs and markings
• Upgrading drainage
• Widening of Williamsburg Avenue (minor widening)
• Installing landscape

Every effort will be made to minimize impact to the community. Drivers are urged to slow down, stay alert and give our construction workers ample space in work zones.

Weather permitting, this $4 million project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2026. 

This project is in coordination with the Richmond Department of Public Utilities.

For more information on the DPW, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

Project map:

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Posted June 17, 2025

RICHMOND, VA – The city launched an ARPA funded beautification initiative last fall to create and improve gateways throughout the city. Seven of eight locations have been completed. The final location on Broad Street between 4th and 7th streets will feature unique lighting and landscaping. The city expects completion of this project by late fall in 2025.

There will be intermittent lane closures and there will be some minor delays when travelling through the area.

We’re Social! For updates on city-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Web-based tracker to offer increased transparency and accountability

Richmond, VA -- In a step toward building trust, responsibility, and accountability, the City of Richmond today launched a new web-based progress tracker that offers up-to-date information about the ongoing overhaul of the City's purchasing card (p-card) program.

The program, which was reset earlier this year, is in the midst of a ground-up overhaul intended to produce a replacement that is firmly rooted in industry best practices and which keeps fiscal accountability and maintaining public trust front of mind.

"We know that government accountability must be earned, every day" said Mayor Danny Avula. "That's why we didn't just pause the p-card program. We took a close look at what wasn't working and chose to rebuild something stronger and more transparent that better serves our City. This tracker is our way of inviting the public into that process and showing, in real time, the work we're doing to fix it."

The tracker is a one-stop shop for all program rebuild news and will include the latest announcements and press releases, as well as status updates on key reform processes including recruitment efforts for new personnel, updated language and implementation for policies and procedures, updates to training materials, to name a few.

"The new p-card program will have rigorous guardrails, comprehensive user training, and clear lines of accountability" said Director of the Department of Procurement Services Rene Almaraz. "This tracker is one more layer of transparency that we are committed to providing as we work to identify and fix what is not best serving the people of Richmond."

The new progress tracker can be found here: https://www.rva.gov/procurement-services/p-card-progress

Richmond, VA - Today, the City of Richmond received a Notice of Alleged Violation (NOAV) from the Virginia Department of Health for the localized Boil Water Advisory (BWA) in May 2025, which impacted customers in portions of the City's distribution network.

Immediately after City and DPU leadership learned of the operational issue that caused filters to clog, which impacted water production, actions were taken to ensure active communication and coordination with VDH and regional partners. DPU worked to ensure procedures for maintenance, operations, and communication were reinforced - including those outlined as recommendations in the NOAV to address all compliance concerns, which VDH acknowledges that the City has already committed to address or already addressed. DPU will continue to evaluate further enhancements.

To learn more about water regulations, visit the City Hall 101 explainer. To learn more about the work ahead and a preview of a 10-year plan for improvements to modernize utility service and ensure long-term sustainability, read here.

The City remains committed to working with VDH and regional partners to ensure it meets its mission to deliver safe and clean drinking water to the region.

• June 16, Notice of Alleged Violation, Virginia Department of Health
• June 16, Memo to File: May 2025 Boil Water Advisory at City of Richmond, Virginia Department of Health