VDOT | FFXnow - Part 8

Bridge construction to disrupt traffic on I-495 in McLean into September

Published August 19, 2024 at 2:30PM

Traffic heading northbound on I-495 toward Old Dominion Drive in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Traffic on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean might be even more stop-and-start than usual for the next few weeks, though the latest lane closures will at least happen outside rush hours.

Starting tonight (Monday), three northbound and southbound lanes of I-495 will close overnight between the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road interchange to accommodate construction work on a new Old Dominion Drive bridge, the Virginia Department of Transportation recently announced.

News

Avoid Georgetown Pike bridge over I-495 during coming lane closures, VDOT warns

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 7, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated August 14, 2024 at 5:32PM

The Georgetown Pike Bridge over I-495 will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction during the weekend of Aug. 16-19 (via VDOT)

The Georgetown Pike bridge over I-495 in McLean will partially close for a full weekend later this month so traffic can be shifted to new lanes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is advising drivers to avoid the interchange during what it’s calling “Stay-Away Weekend” if they don’t want to get caught up in the congestion that’ll likely be created by the lane reductions and ramp closures.

News

Traffic clogs I-95 near Springfield after dump truck crashes into sign

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 11, 2024 at 3:45PM

Three northbound lanes on I-95 are closed to traffic after an overhead sign was damaged by a dump truck (via 511Virginia)

Virginia State Police are searching for a dump truck that reportedly crashed into an overhead sign on I-95 in Springfield and bolted.

Troopers were dispatched to northbound I-95 at 12:18 p.m. today (Thursday) after getting a report of debris near the 168-mile marker, which is just south of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway interchange, according to the VSP.

News

VDOT seeks public input on Great Falls road’s safety amid high crash rates

By James Jarvis

Published July 10, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 10:42AM

The Virginia Department of Transportation is studying Walker Road in Great Falls for potential safety improvements (via VDOT)

Following concerns about frequent traffic accidents and continuous speeding, the Virginia Department of Transportation is gathering feedback from residents via a public survey on the safety of Walker Road in Great Falls.

The survey, which will be active through this Friday (July 12), was initiated at the request of State Sen. Jennifer Boysko, Del. Rip Sullivan, and Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman. It aims to address safety issues along a 2-mile stretch from Colvin Run Road to Georgetown Pike.

Countywide

Are Virginia toll roads costly and confusing? A state study shows many drivers think so.

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published June 25, 2024 at 11:45AM

A sign displays the toll for taking the I-66 West Express Lanes from Oakton to Route 50 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Researchers found that some complex toll roads in Northern Virginia are “less understandable” for people who drive high occupancy vehicles and that inconsistent toll signage in Virginia may also cause driver confusion. The findings come after a months-long study into easing vehicle traffic congestion, specifically on popular Interstates 81 and 95, and possible ways to stop rising toll costs.

Cost concerns

News

Utility undergrounding dropped from Elden Street widening project

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 4, 2024 at 11:30AM

The existing Elden Street and Laurel Way intersection in Herndon (via VDOT)

A long-gestating project to widen East Elden Street will no longer move utilities along the Herndon corridor underground.

The Herndon Town Council approved a resolution on May 28 authorizing the removal of a utility duct bank from the project’s scope after town staff reported that costs had drastically increased from an earlier $57.3 million estimate.

News

Maryland surveys McLean to plan for new American Legion Bridge

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 4, 2024 at 9:30AM

The American Legion Bridge heading into Virginia (via MDOT)

Transportation staff from Maryland crossed the Potomac River last week to gather data in McLean for their long-planned American Legion Bridge replacement project.

According to a notice shared by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) sent a field team last Thursday (May 30) to investigate the drainage along Live Oak Drive.

News

Costs drop for Route 29 widening project, completion set for 2026

By James Jarvis

Published May 23, 2024 at 3:30PM

Route 29 is being widened to six lanes between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive (via VDOT)

The price tag for the ongoing project to widen Route 29 just east of Centreville has dropped.

The project, which started construction over a year ago, will add two lanes to a 1.5-mile segment of the road between Union Mill Road and Buckleys Gate Drive, expanding it from four lanes to six.

News

Expanded Route 7 is now fully operational from Reston to Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 9:30AM

Route 7 has been expanded to six lanes from Reston to Tysons (courtesy VDOT)

New vehicle lanes and a shared-use trail are officially open to travelers on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) after almost five years of construction.

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced last night (Tuesday) that it has finished expanding the roadway from four to six travel lanes — three in each direction — between Riva Ridge Drive in Reston and Jarrett Valley Drive just north of the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons.

Countywide

Fairfax County proposes crosswalks, bike lanes with annual road restriping program

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 2, 2024 at 11:45AM

Striping for a bicycle lane on Twin Branches Road in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Paving and re-striping season has descended upon Fairfax County once again, ushering in a series of public meetings later this month on proposed projects that include bicycle lanes and improved crosswalks.

Hundreds of miles of roadway will be repaved and re-striped by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as part of the program throughout the state.