VDOT | FFXnow - Part 9

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

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.

News

Pipe replacement will force one-day closure of Fox Mill Road in Herndon

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 28, 2024 at 10:15AM

Fox Mill Road in Herndon will be closed on April 1 (Image via VDOT).

Fox Mill Road will be closed at the beginning of next month to allow for a pipe replacement.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews are replacing a drainage pipe, prompting the closure between Pinecrest Road and John Milton Drive in Herndon on Monday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

News

Virginia plans for signs to alert Maryland drivers to new I-495 toll lanes

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 27, 2024 at 2:30PM

Signs for I-495 in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Maryland’s plans for the American Legion Bridge and its side of the Capital Beltway remain a big question mark, but its drivers at least will get a head’s up before they reach the toll lanes now under construction in McLean.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is working with its Maryland counterpart on an agreement that will enable the I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) builder to install signs related to the project on the northern side of the Potomac River.

Countywide

Youngkin administration considers bill to expand local authority to lower speed limits

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published March 19, 2024 at 3:45PM

A 25 mph speed limit sign on a residential road in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Virginia General Assembly passed a measure three years ago allowing local governments to decrease roadway speed limits in their localities to as low as 15 mph. But recently, lawmakers found that the Virginia Department of Transportation denied seven of eight speed limit decrease requests, because, by state law, only the Commissioner of Highways can authorize changes on state-maintained roads.

Earlier this month, legislation advanced that would expand a locality’s speed-reducing authority to roadways within a business or residence district, including state-owned highways.