The speed limit on Fairfax County Parkway has been reduced and will soon be enforced by speed cameras, as construction to widen the major thoroughfare continues.
A speed limit of 45 mph — down from 50 mph — took effect today (Friday), with workers unveiling new signage throughout the work zone from I-66 near Fair Lakes to Route 123 (Ox Road) in Fairfax Station, according to Fairfax County.
Over the next month, speed cameras will be installed along the parkway between Popes Head Road and Burke Center Parkway. Warning citations will be issued for a 30-day period starting Sunday, June 15 before drivers become subject to fines of up to $100 on Tuesday, July 15.
Fines will be $50 for going 10 to 14 mph over the speed limit, $75 for 15-19 mph over and $100 for 20 mph or more — rates consistent with the county’s speed cameras in school zones.
The county says the lowered speed limit and speed cameras are part of “an effort to keep active construction zones safe.”
“The citations, which will be sent via mail, underscore the seriousness of ensuring drivers obey laws tied to work zone safety,” the county said.
Starting today, the speed limit on Fairfax County Parkway between I-66 and Route 123 will be lowered to 45 mph. Work zone speed cameras will be installed with a 30-day warning period beginning Sunday, June 15.
Learn more: https://t.co/F4LqtNJ9et pic.twitter.com/vkrwYKQCgF
— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) May 16, 2025
Fairfax County has active speed cameras in nine school zones, but the Fairfax County Parkway widening project will be its first test of the program for construction zones. Plans to add cameras in another 10 school zones last year have been slowed down by discussions with VDOT.
“Installation is still on hold as some details are being worked out with VDOT and we do not have an anticipated date for installation at this time,” a county spokesperson told FFXnow. “We will publish an update once those additional cameras do become active.”
School and work zones are the only areas where localities are currently authorized to install speed cameras under legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020.
Though the reduced speed limit for the Fairfax County Parkway work zone will be in place for the remainder of construction, the speed cameras are initially slated to be in place for 60 days. That time frame could be extended “should the pilot prove successful,” the county says.
Construction is underway on three different projects along Fairfax County Parkway. Work started in December on triple roundabouts at the Popes Head interchange, and the road is being widened from four to six lanes to the north and south.
Work on the Popes Head segment is expected to finish in late 2026, while the road widening is slated to wrap up in mid-2027.
The parkway will be closed between Burke Centre Parkway (Route 643) and Braddock Road (Route 620) from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. each night from Monday through Thursday next week (May 19-22).
Photo via VDOT
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