Cook Street–French Moore Blvd extension: comments due July 24 in Abingdon

VDOT has scheduled public outreach for a potential new roadway connection in Abingdon: extending Cook Street and French Moore Boulevard, including a realignment of a portion of Stone Mill Road.

The public information meeting was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 4–6 p.m. at EO Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub, 300 Towne Center Drive in Abingdon. Even though that meeting has passed, VDOT says residents can still submit comments by Friday, July 24, 2026.

What VDOT says the Cook Street–French Moore connection would do

VDOT says the project is intended to extend French Moore Boulevard and Cook Street and create a connection between Cummings Street and Jonesboro Road. In VDOT’s project overview, the agency says the new link would improve local mobility, ease congestion during peak travel periods, and enhance access for incident response on Interstate 81.

VDOT says alignment options are still being evaluated

VDOT describes the project as being in preliminary design, with multiple potential alignments being evaluated. As part of that process, VDOT’s project page lists design-materials options including:

• SmartScale Alignment
• Lowry Alignment
• Dual Roundabout Alignment
• Dual Intersection Alignment
• FEMA Map

How to comment before the July 24 deadline

VDOT says comments can be submitted in writing or orally by July 24, 2026. Methods listed by VDOT include:

• Call the Project Manager, Mark Hill, P.E., at 276-669-6151
• Email vdotinfo@vdot.virginia.gov and reference “Cook Street and French Moore Boulevard Extension Washington County” in the subject line
• Mail comment sheets to Mark Hill, P.E., 2111 Bonham Road, Bristol, VA 24201

What happens next

VDOT says the potential alignments shown at this stage would be refined, with a preferred alignment brought back to the public at a public meeting in 2028. VDOT’s project page also lists a formal public hearing planned for Summer 2028, followed by a schedule that includes right-of-way acquisition beginning in Fall 2029 and advertising for construction bids in Fall 2031. VDOT estimates the project’s total cost at $58.7 million.

Why the July 24 deadline matters locally

If you want VDOT to consider impacts or preferences tied to the route options being evaluated, July 24 is the clear next deadline. Even though the July 14 meeting already occurred, VDOT is still collecting public input that it says will help guide the project’s design refinement.

Sources

• VDOT (Bristol District) meeting notice for Cook Street & French Moore Blvd extension