OTTERDALE ROAD
AT SWIFTCREEK
DRAINAGE PROJECT
Overview
The Otterdale Road at Swift Creek Drainage Project is a major infrastructure improvement aimed at reducing flooding, improving safety, and ensuring long-term reliability along a key transportation corridor in Chesterfield County. The project focuses on replacing the existing roadway crossing of the Swift Creek floodplain with a modern bridge structure and improved roadway approaches designed to better withstand extreme weather and future growth in the area.
Chesterfield County is delivering this project using a design-build approach, which allows design and construction activities to overlap and promotes close collaboration between engineers and builders. This method shortens the overall project schedule, improves coordination, and helps manage cost, quality, and risk more effectively than traditional delivery methods.
Following a competitive selection process, the County selected Kokosing Construction Company, in partnership with Rinker Design Associates, to deliver the project. Together, the team is responsible for final design, permitting, coordination, and construction of the improvements, working closely with Chesterfield County and other stakeholders throughout the process.
Once complete, the project will provide a safer, more resilient roadway crossing, improved drainage performance, and enhanced pedestrian accommodations—supporting the community today while preparing the corridor for the future.
The Project
The project will replace the existing Otterdale Road crossing of the Swift Creek floodplain with a new, longer bridge and upgraded roadway approaches designed to significantly reduce flooding and improve safety. Today, heavy rain events can cause water to overtop the roadway, leading to closures and unsafe driving conditions. The new design addresses these issues by allowing water to pass through the floodplain more freely while keeping the road open and passable during major storms.
Key elements of the project include construction of a multi-span bridge across Swift Creek and the surrounding floodplain, raising portions of the roadway to reduce flood risk, and improving drainage throughout the corridor. The roadway will remain a two-lane facility but will be enhanced with improved shoulders, ditches, and stormwater management features that help control runoff and protect nearby waterways.
The project also includes new pedestrian accommodation, providing a continuous sidewalk across the bridge to improve connectivity and safety for people walking along Otterdale Road. Stormwater best management practices will be incorporated to meet environmental requirements and reduce impacts to Swift Creek and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Construction will be carefully phased to manage traffic and minimize disruptions to residents, businesses, and emergency services. While temporary detours and lane closures will be necessary at certain stages, the project team is coordinating closely with Chesterfield County to maintain access and keep the public informed throughout construction.
When completed, the project will deliver a safer, more resilient crossing that reduces flood-related closures, improves travel reliability, and supports continued growth in the area—without sacrificing environmental stewardship.
Schedule
The Otterdale Road at Swift Creek Drainage Project will be delivered in a series of carefully planned phases to ensure safety, efficiency, and coordination with the surrounding community. Using the design-build delivery method allows design, permitting, and construction activities to overlap where appropriate, reducing the overall project duration compared to traditional project delivery.
Early phases of the project focus on final design development, environmental permitting, utility coordination, and preparation of the site. Once these activities are complete, construction of the new bridge and roadway improvements will begin. The most impactful phase of construction—including bridge construction over the Swift Creek floodplain—will require a temporary closure of Otterdale Road in place June - August 2028, to allow the work to be completed safely and efficiently.
Construction activities will be sequenced to reduce disruptions and maintain access for emergency services, residents, and nearby developments. Detour routes will be clearly signed, and advance notice will be provided ahead of major traffic changes. Work will also be coordinated with other public and private projects in the area to minimize overlapping impacts.
The project is anticipated to progress through multiple phases over several years, with final completion expected near the end of the decade. Throughout the project, Kokosing Construction Company and the project team will work closely with Chesterfield County to monitor progress, adjust sequencing as needed, and keep the public informed as milestones are reached.
Public Outreach
FAQ
Comments
Submit your comments or questions using the form.
Or contact us at:
Nathan Mathis
Principal Engineer
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