Posted February 10, 2026

~Construction is expected to be completed by Spring 2028, weather permitting ~

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works will begin construction on the Jahnke Road Improvements Project in late February, weather permitting. Construction will take place along Jahnke Road between Blackmore Road and Forest Hill Avenue. Completion of this $42 million project is expected by spring 2028. 

Key improvements include: 

• Roadway: Two 11-foot travel lanes with a center median, dedicated left-turn lanes, and a new curb-and-gutter drainage system  
• Pathways: An 8-foot multi-use path on the north side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the south side will be constructed
• Streetscape: Landscaping, and safety improvements at the rail crossing shall be installed
• Traffic Control: A new signal will be installed at Forestview School Drive with automated crossing gates at the CSXT rail line
• Utilities: City water, gas service lines are also included as well as underground storm sewer

“This project reflects years of planning, designing, and public engagement to create a safer space for all users,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The improvements prioritize pedestrian safety while strengthening our transportation network for the entire community."

“Jahnke Road’s upgrade is a part of the city’s increased Vision Zero efforts for pedestrian safety,” said Department of Transportation Director Andy Boenau. “Sidewalks and shared-use paths provide critical access to GRTC’s free public transit, which makes the bus an extension of walking.”

Roadside message boards will be in place to notify the public with the project start date. During construction, residents and businesses may experience minor disruptions, but every effort will be made to minimize inconveniences. The contractor will provide continued access for patrons and deliveries to businesses. Please be patient and give construction workers extra space and slow down when you see orange cones and work zones.

This project supports the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan by using our complete streets approach. This process was driven by community input through public engagement. Community feedback provided valuable input throughout the design process.

For more information on the Department of Public Works, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or send an email to [email protected] 

 We’re Social! For updates on DPW-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 225 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; urban forestry; civil engineering and capital improvement projects along with the Department of Transportation (DOT). DPW delivers essential services that keep the city clean, safe, and healthy. The DOT plans, builds and maintains the city’s transportation system to ensure safe, reliable, and equitable mobility for all users. The department is responsible for traffic operations, street signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, bike lanes, and transportation programs that support economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Guided by the city’s Vision Zero commitment, the DOT works to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through data-driven policies, street design, and community partnerships. In addition, the DOT issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station and the RVA Bike Share Program. Operating budgets for both departments come from the general fund of the City of Richmond. For more information about services, click here or call 3-1-1

Public Notice:

The Richmond City Electoral Board will hold a public meeting with the following details:

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: 2134 W. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227

This notice is being provided to alert the public that an Electoral Board meeting is scheduled. The agenda for this meeting will be posted once it has been reviewed and approved by the Electoral Board.

Please note that the agenda is subject to change. Items may be added, removed, or modified prior to or during the meeting, as permitted by law.

Additional updates related to meeting logistics will be communicated as necessary should weather conditions require further adjustments.

For questions regarding this meeting, please email us at [email protected]

Meeting Agenda - 02/25/26

A special election will be held to fill a vacancy in the Senate of Virginia, 15th District, and the House of Delegates, 77th District, both of which include part of the City of Richmond and part of Chesterfield County. These vacancies were created by the resignation of The Honorable Ghazala F. Hashmi and The Honorable Michael J. Jones.

Writ of Election - Virginia Senate District 15

Writ of Election - Virginia House of Delegates District 77

Public Notice – 01/06/26: Precinct 412 (Lucille Brown Middle School)

At approximately 12:35 PM, Precinct 412 at Lucille Brown Middle School was evacuated due to a potential gas leak.

Voting operations continued outside the building during the evacuation. At 12:48 PM, officials cleared the building, and voting safely resumed indoors.

The Director of Elections, members of the Electoral Board, and election staff worked closely with emergency personnel to ensure the safety of voters and election workers while maintaining the integrity of the voting process.

We appreciate the patience and cooperation of voters during this brief interruption. If you need more clarification, please call (804) 646-5767.
 

Key Dates & Deadlines

Ways to Vote

• Early In-Person Voting: Available from December 27, 2025, through January 3, 2026.
• Vote by Mail: Request your absentee ballot by December 29, 2025. (Apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal.)
• Election Day Voting: Vote at your assigned polling place on January 6, 2026.
• Military & Overseas: If you are an absent military or overseas citizen eligible to vote in state and local elections, you may register to vote and submit an absentee ballot application electronically for a specific election or any elections up through the next year using the Department of Elections voter registration portal.
  
  • For more information click here.

Candidate Information:

Candidate list for the Senate of Virginia, 15th District, will be posted the week of Monday, December 8, 2025.

Candidate list for the House of Delegates, 77th District, will be posted the week of Monday, December 15, 2025.

• The lists can be found here.

Need Help?

Contact the Richmond Office of Elections:
📧 [email protected]
📞 (804) 646-5950
🌐 Office of Elections (city) | Virginia Department of Elections (state)

Limited-Time Opportunity Helps Customers Eliminate Delinquent Balances and Avoid Service Disruption

RICHMOND, Va. — The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is launching Back on Track with DPU, a limited-time utility reset program designed to help residential and commercial customers resolve past-due utility balances, avoid service disruption and move forward with manageable payment options.

The Back on Track program provides eligible customers with a final opportunity to bring delinquent accounts current or enroll in an interest-free, no-convenience-fee PromisePay payment plan, with repayment terms of up to 24 months.

“Back on Track is an important campaign to help maintain and strengthen DPU’s financial health and long-term stability, both key factors in ensuring our ability to meet the needs of our customers and keep rates affordable. This campaign strikes a balance between fiscal responsibility and compassion for our community by offering customers a meaningful opportunity to resolve past-due utility balances,” said Scott Morris, director of the Department of Public Utilities.

Program Purpose

Back on Track with DPU is designed to:

• Help customers reduce delinquent utility balances through a limited-time reset opportunity, with extend payment plan terms
• Recover outstanding revenue to maintain financial resiliency and support continued investment in the City’s utility systems
• Reduce long-term delinquency and prevent service disruptions through proactive communication and flexible payment options

Program Details

Eligible customers may:

• Bring existing PromisePay payment plans current and renegotiate outstanding balances, or
• Enroll for the first time in an interest-free, no convenience fee PromisePay payment plan

Repayment terms are available for up to 24 months, depending on eligibility.

Eligibility and Payment Options

Both residential and commercial customers with delinquent utility accounts are eligible, regardless of prior or current enrollment in payment plans.

Residential customers may enroll in a PromisePay payment plan with a 10% down payment, with repayment terms of up to 24 months, depending on account balance.

Commercial customers may enroll with a 20% down payment, with repayment terms of up to 24 months, depending on account balance. 

Expanded MetroCare Assistance Program

As part of the Back on Track campaign, DPU has expanded its MetroCare Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to qualified low-income households to help make water, wastewater and natural gas bills more affordable.

Eligible residential customers may receive:

• Up to $500 in credits toward water and wastewater bills
• Up to $500 in credits toward natural gas bills
• A Payment Plan Incentive Credit of up to $500 for customers who enroll in and successfully complete a DPU payment plan

The Payment Plan Incentive Credit is applied when a customer enrolls in a payment plan and is maintained only if all payments are made on time. If a payment becomes more than 30 days past due, the credit will be removed and added back to the account balance. This incentive is available once per fiscal year, when funding is available. MetroCare assistance is available to qualifying residential households with incomes at or below 225% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Enrollment Period, How to Enroll and Service Disconnections

Customers must enroll in Back on Track with DPU between now and March 31 to bring past-due balances into a new payment plan. After March 31, payment plans will be limited to a maximum of 12 months.

Customers can enroll by visiting richmond.promise-pay.com or by calling PromisePay at 1-804-626-5420 for assistance with setting up a payment plan.

Accounts that remain delinquent after April 1 will be subject to service disconnection, with disconnections beginning in April. 

Customers are encouraged to act promptly, as this is a final opportunity to take advantage of extended repayment terms and waived fees.

Customer Assistance Events

To make it easier to enroll, DPU will host community events across the city where customers can get one-on-one help with checking eligibility and signing up for a payment plan. The event dates and locations are as follows:

For more information, visit rva.gov/public-utilities/backontrack or call 804-646-4646.

City's RVA Engage model featured as a best practice in public participation and budget transparency

Richmond, VA — Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond , served as a featured practitioner for the Certificate in Innovative Leadership in Public Administration, hosted by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies .

Mr. Donald presented Input to Impact: A People-Powered Approach to Governance and Budgeting , highlighting RVA Engage, Richmond’s civic engagement and budgeting model designed to expand public access, strengthen fiscal transparency, and elevate resident voice early in the budget process.

“Budgets are not just financial documents — they are a reflection of community values,” Mr. Donald said. “RVA Engage is built around the principle people first, people always , empowering residents to understand how government works and contribute meaningfully to decisions that affect their daily lives.”

RVA Engage combines public town halls, Budget 101 education sessions, and online participation tools, giving residents direct access to department leaders and clear insights into how the City builds and balances its budget. The model encourages informed dialogue before budget proposals advance, reinforcing accountability and trust between residents and local government.

The NFBPA Executive Leadership Program  convenes public sector leaders nationwide to explore innovative governance strategies. Mr. Donald’s session shared practical approaches for administrators and policymakers working to strengthen civic engagement, align public spending with community priorities, and build trust in government processes.

During the session, Mr. Donald engaged a cohort of senior public administrators from Washington, D.C.; Woodbridge, Va.; Columbus, Ohio; Cambridge, Mass.; Union, N.J.; Greensboro, N.C.; and Seattle, Wash. Participants represented core city functions, including human resources, workforce and employment services, public health, youth programs, budget and evaluation, research and performance, libraries, public affairs, and executive services.

Mr. Donald shared lessons from Richmond’s RVA Engage model in a cross-department setting that mirrors real-world city operations — aligning resources, outcomes, and community priorities — guided by his principle: people first, people always.

The presentation shared with program participants is available online, along with additional information about RVA Engage, upcoming budget town halls, and opportunities for public participation, at go.rva.gov/engage.