Fairfax County continues to seek public feedback on a plan to improve safety on a deadly, hilly stretch of Lee Chapel Road in South Run.
The project aims to remove two vertical curves, improve sight distance, and realign the two-lane roadway on an approximately 1,800-foot-long segment between Fairfax County Parkway and Ox Road (Route 123).
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) provided an update on the proposed changes during a virtual community meeting last Thursday (June 11).
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed in 2023 to redirect funds from a still-planned extension of Shirley Gate Road to make the roadway’s dips less pronounced after multiple serious crashes, including one that killed two 16-year-old girls in January 2023.
After FCDOT proposed two options for handling construction back in 2024, the community chose one that would close the road instead of leaving it partially open to traffic.
At last week’s meeting, FCDOT project manager Dipesh Pandey said the project’s design is now about 90% complete, with a $9.5 million budget and construction expected to start in summer 2028.
“Since the last community meeting, we completed initial environmental work and wetland delineation, phase one archeological and cultural resources survey, threatened and endangered species survey, geotechnical investigation, and stormwater management design,” Pandey said.
Utility coordination is currently underway with Dominion Energy, Verizon, Cox Communications and Washington Gas, which all have infrastructure that will likely be impacted.
Crews are also conducting a detailed assessment of tree conditions along the project area. County officials previously estimated that the project could affect anywhere from 547 to 720 trees, but fully closing the roadway during construction would result in fewer trees being removed.
Meanwhile, environmental reviews are continuing as the project moves toward the permitting phase.
“The environmental analysis for the project is ongoing, but several key aspects have been completed thus far,” Pandey said. “This includes the preliminary environmental inventory, our surface water review and a cultural resources survey.”
Next steps include acquiring necessary environmental permit from the state and the federal government.
“This federal review will confirm that the project will not have significant effect on the environment, and that protective measures are in place.”
Land acquisition is expected to begin this winter and continue into late 2027 or early 2028. FCDOT anticipates that construction will be completed in spring 2029.
The county is accepting public feedback on the proposed road design until 5 p.m. on June 30.
